Tensions high as fatal shootings continue at taxi ranks

Tensions are high within the taxi industry, as Western Cape police are probing yet another taxi-related murder.

Two men were shot and killed and two bystanders were left injured at the Macassar Heights taxi pickup point situated in Mandela Drive, in the early hours of Tuesday.

‘’Preliminary information reveals that unknown armed men approached the taxi pickup point, opened fire, fatally shot and killed two males. Two bystanders were caught in crossfire and sustained gunshot wounds to the body. They were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment… Forensic experts are currently combing the scene for clues and evidence. The motive for this shooting is believed to be taxi-conflict related,’’ said Lt Col Malcolm Pojie, Western Cape police spokesperson.

Macassar SAPS subsequently registered two counts of murder and two attempted murders. Pojie says the suspects fled the scenes in an unknown get-away vehicle and are yet to be arrested.

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A few hours later, a 35-year-old woman was found in a Toyota Quantum minibus with multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body along Onverwacht Road, Lwandle, Strand.

‘’Lwandle SAPS registered an attempted murder case for further investigation after at about 08:20 this morning… The circumstances and motive form part of continued investigation. The injured woman was transported to a medical facility for treatment,’’ said Lt Col Malcolm Pojie, Western Cape police spokesperson.

Western Cape Government has condemned the violence

Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku and Western Cape Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC, Anroux Marais, says these attacks are deeply disturbing and have no place in our communities.

They have called for calm and extend their heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those affected by this senseless violence.

“I condemn these brutal taxi-related attacks in Philippi East, Khayelitsha and Macassar in the strongest possible terms. Such acts of terror have no place in our communities and only serve to spread fear, instability, and suffering among innocent residents. The perpetrators of these heinous crimes must be brought to book. I urge anyone with information to come forward and assist the South African Police Service (SAPS) in their investigations. Your cooperation could be the key to holding those responsible to account and restoring peace,’’ said Anroux Marais, Western Cape Police Oversight & Community Safety MEC.

Sileku added that the Western Cape Government will not tolerate the collapse of peace efforts in the taxi industry.

“The safety of commuters, operators, and the broader public is non-negotiable. At the recent Taxi Peace Summit, SANTACO Western Cape and its eight regional structures committed to prioritising peace, stability, and the safety of commuters. The current escalation of tensions between CATA and CODETA, the two largest taxi groupings in this province, and the violence that followed, shows that some in the industry are acting in bad faith and undermining the commitments they made to government and to the people of the Western Cape. This violence is nothing less than an attack on innocent commuters, and those who choose conflict over peace will face the full force of the law.”

Sileku says he is currently exploring additional steps available within the regulatory framework to strengthen stability in the taxi industry and ensure accountability from operators and associations.

‘’All relevant authorities will remain on high alert across affected areas to prevent further incidents. The Western Cape Government urges members of the public and the taxi industry alike to report any threats, intimidation, or criminal activity directly to law enforcement agencies,’’ read the statement.

The City of Cape Town also expressed concerned about the recent escalation of violence between CATA and CODETA in the Somerset West, Lwandle, and wider Helderberg areas.

‘’The intimidation of drivers and commuters, armed attacks, and the tragic loss of life in recent days are unacceptable. These violent acts are criminal, reckless, and must stop immediately. This escalation in violence is profoundly disappointing, especially in light of the commitments made by all parties during the Peace Summit convened earlier this month. The City views any return to violent tactics as a serious breach of the trust and goodwill built during those engagements, and as an affront to the thousands of commuters who depend daily on safe, reliable public transport,’’ said Rob Quintas, MMC for Urban Mobility.

The MMC says a meeting scheduled between CATA and CODETA leadership, agreed to last week for Monday, did not take place due to reported safety fears and absent leadership.

‘’With no indication of when parties will next meet to resolve their disputes, tensions in the Somerset West area remain dangerously high. Dialogue, not violence, must be the way forward. While the City is not the authority responsible for licensing or regulating the minibus taxi industry, every level of government has a direct duty to protect commuters. Government has a range of regulatory tools available, including the possible use of Section 91 of the National Land Transport Act, which empowers the temporary closure of taxi ranks or routes in the interests of commuter safety. These steps are being actively considered.’’

‘’We call on the leadership of all the affected associations to honour their peace commitments, to refrain from intimidation and violence, and to resolve their disputes through lawful and regulated processes. The City remains firm in its commitment to safeguard lives, uphold the rule of law, and support the Western Cape Provincial Government and SAPS in ensuring safe, reliable transport for all,’’ said Quintas.

 

Done By: Mitchum George