On Friday, amid the ongoing taxi strike, a Cape Town Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officer was fatally wounded in a drive-by shooting.
Also read: Video: Adults weaponize children during taxi strike violence
The officer, Zanikhaya Kwinana (32) was in a car with two colleagues, conducting patrols when the gunman opened fire on them along Miller Road in Nyanga, as they were heading towards Bishop Lavis.
The motive for the shooting remains unknown, and the investigation is still in progress. Western Cape police are actively looking into the case, considering the possibility that the shooting may be linked to the taxi strike.
As per News24, the spokesperson for the Western Cape police, Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie said the officers observed that the deceased LEAP officer had sustained a gunshot wound to his head. They rushed him to Heideveld Day Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Pojie stated that they are considering the possibility that the attack might be linked to the ongoing taxi strike, but the investigation is still ongoing to establish the motive behind the shooting – ‘however, the motive forms part of an ongoing investigation. The officers were part of members performing crime prevention patrols to quell taxi-related incidents that have unfolded in the province.’
Western Cape MEC of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen said, ‘Should this incident be directly linked to the minibus taxi strike, I urge the leadership to strongly condemn this incident and assist us in bringing the perpetrators to book.’
On Thursday, 5 August 2023, taxi operators took an unforeseen step by engaging in violent strike action to express their anger over the City of Cape Town’s traffic by-laws.
These by-laws grant the City the authority to confiscate the vehicles of drivers who violate the rules of the road, including offences like overloading and disregarding instructions from traffic officers to stop, instead of issuing fines.
Explore further details about the current taxi strike action in Cape Town:
- Transport minister urges resolution as the taxi strike continues
- Golden Arrow bus driver sustains gunshot wound to the leg in Khayelitsha
- Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis responds to taxi strike violence
- Video: ‘We will not be intimidated’ – JP Smith’s firm stance on taxi violence
Also read:
LEAP officer fatally shot while carrying a baby in Mitchells Plain
Picture: Supplied
