Ten people, including the deputy chairperson of the Klipriver Taxi Association, were killed at Matiwaneskop, near Ladysmith, in KwaZulu Natal on Tuesday.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Thembeka Mbele, said the taxi boss was travelling with his four bodyguards when they were ambushed by unknown suspects travelling in two vehicles.
She said the suspects opened fire, fatally wounding the taxi boss and his bodyguards.
Mbele said the victims lost control of their bakkie and collided with an oncoming taxi carrying teachers from a local school.
"The taxi boss and other occupants were fatally shot, five people from the minibus taxi died due to the crash and other minibus taxi occupants were seriously injured," she said.
Mbele said a motive for the attack is unknown.
"A docket of five counts of murder, culpable homicide was opened at Elangslaagte police station and it will be transferred to the Provincial Taxi Task Team for investigation," Mbele concluded.
