In a spate of minibus taxi-related killings, eight taxi drivers, three taxi owners and a commuter have been shot and killed since January.
In total, over 17 taxi-related shooting incidents were recorded, mainly in the Delft, Nyanga, Crossroads and Philippi areas, and it is understood that the majority of the drivers killed were from the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA).
Also read: Taxi-related shootings spark fear as death toll rises to 7
The latest incident, which took place over the weekend in Nyanga, resulted in the death of a 20-year-old driver.
According to police spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk, he was fatally shot at the corner of Monwood and Sheffield Drive in Browns Farm, Nyanga, on Saturday, 10 February.
‘Police were called out to a shooting incident at the above-mentioned address where they found the body of a 20-year-old male lying on the driver’s side with multiple gunshot wounds to the body. The motive seems to be possibly taxi-related,’ said van Wyk.
Provincial police are still looking for the gunmen after the unknown suspect/s fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.
The young driver was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel.
Usually, when there are killings in the taxi industry, it is between rival associations feuding over routes, reported Daily Maverick. But this time, it is speculated that the killings are linked to internal conflict at CATA and two lucrative routes from Nyanga to Cape Town and Sea Point.
CATA, however, told the publication on Wednesday that it was incorrect to say this is an internal conflict.
‘All the killings are linked to the Cape Town and Sea Point route operated by CATA,’ said the association’s spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi.
‘We are still trying to gather all our members in one place to discuss this, but it’s been a challenge because some of our members are still away.’
According to the publication, taxi drivers fear speaking publicly about how the shootings have affected them, but those who spoke anonymously said they are considering staying at home if the violence continues.
Sityebi also told News24 that the killings of drivers were concerning.
‘We must be concerned because we don’t know where this is coming from. As a taxi industry, we want to know who is targeting our CATA drivers. There is nothing we can put on the table to stop these killings,’ he said.
‘We have eight drivers so far that have been killed, so we are very worried. Unfortunately, this is beyond our control because we have no idea who is behind these attacks.’
Speaking on the incidents, MEC for Urban Mobility Ricardo Mackenzie said, ‘My thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost loved ones in the targeted attacks over the last few weeks. This violence is despicable, and it undermines trust in transport services that are essential to our country’s development.’
‘Our mobility department officials are doing all it takes, alongside the South African Police Service and industry leadership, to intervene and stabilise the situation following the latest spate of minibus taxi-related attacks.’
Mackenzie added that the department’s teams have been on the ground meeting with key stakeholders in the areas where there is conflict and providing support to negotiations.
Currently, the Nyanga taxi rank is being guarded by heavily armed security.
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Police seize 8 guns and 273 rounds of ammunition in Gugulethu
Picture: SA Taxi / Facebook
