The SANTACO Western Cape has condemned a deadly shooting at the Mfuleni taxi rank early Friday morning, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The brutal attack claimed the lives of four individuals and left three others injured, highlighting a pressing issue of violence within the public transport sector.
SANTACO Western Cape chairperson, Mandla Hermanus, voiced his outrage at the shocking act of violence, stating, ‘We call on law enforcement agencies to act swiftly and decisively to identify and arrest those responsible. There can be no tolerance for violence in our industry or communities.’
Hermanus confirmed that SANTACO will convene with relevant taxi associations to obtain a comprehensive account of the events surrounding this tragic shooting and to explore ways to restore stability and prevent future conflicts.
Echoing Hermanus’s sentiments, Western Cape Mobility Minister Isaac Sileku expressed his deep sorrow and concern over the senseless violence.
In a heartfelt statement, he said, ‘I am shocked and deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence. We cannot allow criminality to take hold of our public transport spaces and threaten the safety of innocent commuters and workers.’
Sileku called for unity within the community and the minibus taxi industry, urging them to support the police investigation and ensure that those responsible face justice. ‘Behind every life lost is a family, a story, and a future that has been cruelly cut short,’ he added.
Sileku has lamented the ongoing disregard for human life within the transport sector, reminding the public that violence around transport hubs not only poses risks to safety but also undermines efforts to provide safe, reliable, and dignified mobility for all.
Sileku underscored the critical importance of a functional public transport system for driving economic growth and creating job opportunities throughout the province.
Both Hermanus and Sileku urged all transport operators and drivers to exercise maximum restraint and to avoid escalating tensions further.
‘Disputes must never be resolved through violence. There is no justification for actions that place innocent lives at risk and disrupt critical transport services,’ stressed Sileku.
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Four dead, three injured in suspected taxi-related shooting in Mfuleni
Picture: Ian Cameron / X
