A leader of the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in KTC is calling for peace between the fighting taxi associations, saying that the ongoing battle is affecting innocent people. Lumkile Msila, a Sanco committee member, was commenting after Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) deputy chair Mnikeli Mgope was shot and killed at the Nyanga Terminus on Wednesday 10 September.
He said the ongoing war within the taxi industry in the Western Cape is worrying and urged the government to intervene . He also appealed for stringent measures against the affected parties.
“Whatever differences they have, they need to sit down and resolve them peacefully before things get worse. Most of the taxi drivers who die are breadwinners for their families. They are the prominent members in their families. Now their families are left with no one.
“Also, there are commuters who are affected during the shootings, some of them are now injured and others are dead,” said Msila.
He urged all the relevant stakeholders from the government to the lowest structure to gather under one room and come up with a resolution.
“No one is safe here. The government officials, including the street committees must intervene. The transport industry affects everyone. If the taxi owners were to decide to down the tools our economy will fall flat,” stated Msila.
Sgt Wesley Twigg, the provincial police spokesperson, said the circumstances surrounding a shooting incident on Wednesday 10 September at about 20:10, at the Nyanga taxi rank, Sithandathu Avenue, Nyanga where a 61-year-old male was shot and fatally wounded are under investigation.
He said according to reports officers were on patrol when they heard gunshots.
“The officers drove in the direction of the taxi rank where they found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds to his body. The victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel.
“The suspect/s fled the scene and are yet to be arrested. The motive for the attack is believed to be taxi related,” said Twigg, adding that a murder case has been registered for further investigation.
