Update:
The CATA-associated taxi driver, as well as the owner of the minibus taxi seen in the footage of a stabbing incident that took place in Maitland last month, were expected to present themselves to police on Friday morning, 11 July.
This is according to Chairperson of SANTACO Western Cape Mandla Hermanus, who confirmed it during an interview with the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
‘We have already contacted Law Enforcement officers, the Taxi Violence Unit in particular, and the driver and the owner and the executive members of that association will visit SAPS [on Friday] morning at 8am to hand over this driver to the police so that he can face the full might of the law,’ said Hermanus.
Despite there being no visible registration number, Hermanus confirmed that SANTACO was able to identify the owner through a taxi association sticker that could be seen on the vehicle.
‘We could see that the vehicle belongs to CATA and it belongs to a certain primary association that operates in the Gugulethu area…and I was able to speak to the chairperson of that association. Using the video footage…we were able to identify the owner and driver involved,’ he explained.
‘And because this was circulating online, we had no contact with the family of the victim so we do not know who the victim is. We were not even sure if there had been a case that had been opened… but we did what we could to try and track the driver.’
Police spokesperson Captain Frederick Van Wyk confirmed that a case of attempted murder was opened after police were alerted to the footage showing the taxi driver stabbing a 48-year-old motorist multiple times, adding that police is appealing to eyewitnesses and the owner of the video to come forward to assist in the investigation.
‘On 9 July, a seasoned detective was assigned to follow up on this incident and he got the victim in hospital where an affidavit was obtained to be investigated,’ said van Wyk.
During the interview, Hermanus condemned the incident, adding that the footage shocked the taxi industry leadership and that SANTACO had not been aware of the incident until it had received the widely circulated footage.
‘It’s very sad to see one of our drivers behaving in that manner, which was absolutely barbaric and definitely uncalled for,’ he said. ‘This is not what we want to be known for as the minibus taxi industry as we try to clean our image.’
Hermanus also added that following the investigation, the driver would never operate under SANTACO ‘ever again’.
Cape {town} Etc reached out to SAPS to confirm whether the driver and owner presented themselves to SAPS this morning.
‘Kindly be advised that the matter you are referring to is still under investigation,’ Van Wyk said in response. ‘There are no new developments to report to the media at this stage.’
The victim was reportedly discharged from hospital earlier this month and is now recovering at home, according to IOL.
Concluding his interview, Hermanus renewed calls to speed up the process of formalisation, including driver registration and uniquely universal taxi branding, to prevent future incidents and quicker identification. He also expressed hope for the victim’s speedy recovery.
‘We are ready and willing to offer all kinds of support… and we apologise on behalf of the minibus taxi industry for this kind of incident. It should not have happened.’
A disturbing incident involving a taxi driver affiliated with the CATA has been brought to light through a shocking video that surfaced following a violent altercation on Thursday, 26 June 2025, around 3:30pm, reports Cape {town} Etc.
The confrontation took place at the busy intersection of Koeberg Road and Voortrekker Road in Maitland, casting a spotlight on the alarming behaviour displayed by some of the drivers operating in the area.
The video shared on Facebook by Fight Against Crime SA (FACSA), which has quickly garnered widespread attention, depicts the taxi driver operating his vehicle recklessly.
[GRAPHIC CONTENT]
Eyewitnesses reported that he was cutting off other road users while seemingly distracted, as he was seen using his cellphone behind the wheel.
Frustrated by his erratic driving, fellow motorists confronted the driver, prompting a swift and violent escalation.
Tragically, the situation turned chaotic when the taxi driver, allegedly joined by an accomplice known as a ‘gaatjie’ (taxi passenger assistant), launched a brutal attack on a civilian who had confronted him about his dangerous behaviour.
In a shocking act of violence, the driver reportedly stabbed the victim multiple times, leaving him gravely injured amidst the panic of shocked onlookers.
Following the assault, the taxi driver and his accomplice fled the scene, making their escape towards Bellville.
Authorities have since been alerted, and investigations are underway to locate the perpetrators and ensure that justice is served for the injured party.
Also read:
Grade 10 learner stabbed by fellow student at Cape Town school
Picture: Fight Against Crime SA (FACSA)
