Calls for calm after CATA regional leader gunned down in Nyanga

One of taxi body’s SANTACO‘s Provincial Executive Committee members from CATA Region and a dedicated Executive Member of the CATA Regional Taxi Association, was shot and killed at the Nyanga taxi rank, on Wednesday afternoon.

Police confirmed that the motive behind Mongi Titi are under investigation.

COURTESY - Facebook - Benson Ngqentsu: Mongi Titi

‘’ Detectives attached to the Provincial Taxi Violence Unit are probing the circumstances surrounding a shooting incident where a man was shot and killed in Emms drive in Nyanga on Wednesday 16 April 2025 at about 17:55. The Information at our disposal indicates that unknown gunmen approached a Toyota Fortuner parked in the vicinity of the Terminus, after which they opened fire on the occupant, a 45 year old man, who sustained fatal injuries. The victim was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel. The unknown suspects fled the scene in an undisclosed direction and they are yet to be arrested. Nyanga police registered a murder for further investigation,’’ said Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, Western Cape police spokesperson.

SANTACO has called on SAPS to act swiftly to bring those responsible to book. Provincial Chairperson, Mandla Hermanus, described Titi as a committed leader who played a significant role in the taxi sector in the province.

‘’ His untimely death is a devastating loss to our organisation and to the industry at large. Mr. Titi was a committed leader who played a significant role in our ongoing efforts to build a more unified, safe, and professional taxi sector in the province,’’ said Mandla Hermanus, SANTACO Western Cape Chairperson.

‘’SANTACO Western Cape calls for a full and thorough investigation into this heinous crime, and we urge law enforcement authorities to act swiftly to bring those responsible to justice. We also call on anyone with information to come forward and assist the police in their investigation.

‘’In this moment of grief, we appeal for calm and restraint across all ranks and regions. Violence must not be met with violence. We are urging all stakeholders in the taxi industry to remain peaceful and allow due process to take its course. Now, more than ever, we need unity, stability, and discipline. We will continue to engage with the relevant authorities to ensure that this matter is handled with the urgency and seriousness it deserves,’’ added Hermanus.

The Nyanga Community Policing Forum (CPF)’s Dumisani Qwebe shared Hermanus’ sentiments.

‘’For the community of Nyanga and the taxi fraternity, they lost a hero, a peace-making person, a humble person. You would find Mr. titi with any challenges, he will come forward and arrange meeting to find peace peace within the area.’’

The Western Cape’s Mobility MEC, Isaac Sileku, appealed to leaders in the taxi industry, operators, and drivers to remain calm and not resort to any acts of retaliation.

‘’The Nyanga community has experienced far too many incidents of brazen violence in recent times. This latest shooting brings painful reminders of previous gun-related attacks and the torching of public transport vehicles that have destabilised the area.

“Retaliatory action will only escalate this violence and further entrench conflict in the community, putting the lives of innocent residents in danger. We cannot allow violence to become a permanent feature of our public transport system,” added Sileku.

The MEC also reminded stakeholders of the recent roll-out of conflict prevention and resolution training by the Western Cape Mobility Department, designed to equip the taxi industry with tools to manage disputes constructively. He encourages all leaders in the industry to prioritise dialogue, restraint, and peaceful solutions.

“We must work together to ensure stability and safety in the transport sector. The future of the industry and the safety of our communities depend on our collective ability to reject violence and uphold the rule of law,” concluded Isaac Sileku, Western Cape Mobility MEC.

The Economic Freedom Fighters in the Western Cape condemned the killing.

‘’The taxi industry is one of the most critical industries in the province due to its operational mobility and ownership patterns which are reflective the racial demographics in the entire country. The violence is however not a reflection of the racial demographics but that of capitalist proclivity which emanates from the irresistible urge to monopolize and limit competition by all means necessary - be it criminal means or otherwise.’’

‘’The has been an ongoing and brewing conflict which the government of the day at both national, provincial and locally has turned a blind eye to. Such dereliction of duty only worsens the situation and the DA in the Province and Metro has been complicit in the taxi violence and wars. This is done through deliberate under prioritization of the safety and security measures for both commuters and drivers and limited visibity of law enforcement patrols in taxi ranks and regular check-ups in to ensure compliance with the law. The DA government is not concerned with the preservation of the lives of the working class and has only been active when it impounds taxi vehicles and thereby taking the bread out of many black families’ mouths.’’

‘’The silence of the MEC for Transport and MayCo for Safety and Security is deafening as this assassination has the likelihood of turning into a full scale taxi war. A war that would do more hard than good, a war that has the likelihood of compromising the livelihood, safety and mobility of commuters, innocent bystanders-passers, taxi drivers and owners. We are however not shocked by the silence of the MayCo for Safety and Security member JP Smith as his name has been linked to many underground figures that are alleged to be reigning terror in Cape Town communities,’’ concluded Unathi Ntame, EFF Western Cape chairperson.

The South African Communist Party (SACP) Provincial Secretary in the Western Cape, and African National Congress (ANC) spokesperson for Mobility, Benson Ngqentsu, condemned the murder, describing Titi as ‘’not only a prominent leader within the taxi industry, but also a sharp, committed, and principled individual whose insights and dedication to the sector will be profoundly missed.’’

‘’His untimely and violent passing is a tragic loss—not only to the Titi family, but to the entire minibus taxi industry and the communities it serves daily.

‘’I am deeply concerned by the continued inaction of the Western Cape MEC for Transport, whose reluctance to intervene meaningfully in the face of growing tensions within the taxi industry is both unacceptable and dangerous. Leadership is needed now more than ever to mediate, de-escalate, and ensure the safety of all involved.’’

Ngqentsu called on Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, and Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, to urgently intervene and assist in restoring calm and peace in the Nyanga taxi rank and surrounding areas.

 

Done By: Mitchum George