WESTERN CAPE – The DA in the Western Cape has called for calm and swift arrests following four suspected taxi-violence incidents in two days across Somerset West, Strand and Khayelitsha that left one man dead and at least six wounded.

The latest incident occurred on Tuesday evening in Khayelitsha, following three separate shootings on Tuesday morning and Monday in the Helderberg.

Sgt Wesley Twigg, Western Cape police spokesperson, confirmed a 40-year-old man was fatally shot and three others were wounded in Walter Sisulu Road in Khayelitsha on Tuesday evening.

Taxi violence rears its ugly head again in the Helderberg and surrounds

Makhaza police officers responded to a complaint of a shooting and, on arrival on the scene, found the victims with gunshot wounds.

The victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel, while the other victims were transported to a medical facility for treatment.

Makhaza police registered a murder and multiple cases of attempted murder for investigation.

“The motive for the attack is believed to be taxi-related,” said Twigg.

The suspects fled the scene and were yet to be arrested.

This followed another incident on Tuesday morning, which allegedly originated in the Somerset West policing precinct when a targeted taxi drove into Strand, coming to a halt on the corner of Broadway Boulevard and Main Road (“Suspected taxi violence rears its ugly head in Helderberg suburbs“, NovaNews, 30 June), where the shooting occurred.

Strand police responded to a report of a shooting and arrived on the scene, where they found two passengers, believed to be security guards, in the minibus taxi with gunshot wounds. The victims were transported to a medical facility for treatment. The suspects fled the scene and no arrests have been made.

Hours later footage of a taxi pockmarked by gunfire, after it had pulled into a Firgrove service station, circulated widely on social media. Macassar police confirmed officers responded to the scene around 09:00.

It is alleged the taxi was targeted in the Kleinvlei area of Eerste River.

The Tuesday incidents followed a shooting on Monday 29 June, which prompted the mobilisation of police at the Somerset West Public Transport Interchange. Makhaza police registered a case of attempted murder after a 35-year-old man was shot and wounded near a taxi rank in Japhta K Masemola Street, Mandela Park in Khayelitsha. The victim had already been transported to a medical facility when officers arrived. No arrests had been made and the investigation continued.

In a press release issued on Wednesday 2 July Benedicta van Minnen, member of the Provincial Parliament and the DA’s provincial spokesperson on Police Oversight and Community Safety, said the actions placed innocent lives at risk and heightened fear among communities.

She said the events highlighted the devastating impact violence within the taxi industry continued to have on commuters, workers, businesses and residents who simply want to go about their daily lives in safety.

“We call on the police to leave no stone unturned in identifying and apprehending those responsible.”

Van Minnen added there can be no justification for criminal acts that endanger innocent lives and undermine public safety. The safety of residents must remain the foremost priority.

She reiterated the DA’s continued support for interventions that strengthen policing, improve intelligence-led operations and promote collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the taxi industry to prevent further bloodshed.

“The people of the Western Cape deserve a transport system that is safe, reliable and free from violence. It is imperative that all role players work together to ensure these criminals are caught and taken off the streets.”