By Teboho Moloi
QWAQWA – Hundreds of mourners gathered in Lirebe Village on Saturday, 8 November, to bid farewell to well-known taxi driver Matlotlo “Excel” Koki (36), who was gunned down in cold blood on 26 October by two unidentified gunmen.
Koki was shot dead on the spot in full view of his wife, Malewa, and friend, Pontsho Mofokeng, while walking home from a local tavern.
His emotional funeral service was held at his parental home, where relatives, friends, colleagues and community members described him as a humble, hardworking young man who deeply loved his family.
Mofokeng, who survived the attack after being shot in the thigh, told The Guard that the gunmen ambushed them without warning.
“We were just a few metres from home when two men approached us and suddenly started firing without saying a word. I saw Matlotlo trying to fight for his life, trying to wrestle one of them, but he was overpowered and shot dead,” she said.
She said the incident has left her severely traumatised.Family spokesperson Nkgono Matsekiso Rampine said Koki was the pillar of the family who supported many relatives financially and still had a promising future ahead of him.
“We are deeply hurt, but we trust God to help us heal and to deal with his killers,” she said.
Ward councillor Mary Crockett said Koki’s work as a taxi driver was vital, particularly because he was trusted with transporting the elderly safely during pension payout dates.
His colleagues gave him a symbolic send-off, carrying his coffin with their hands and spinning their vehicles in tribute.
One taxi operator, who asked not to be named, alleged that the shooting may have been a targeted killing.
“This was not a robbery gone wrong. I believe he was eliminated because of what he might have known,” he said.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring confirmed that cases of murder and attempted murder are under investigation.
No arrests had been made at the time of going to print.
