“Reasonable. Kind. Helpful. Always putting others before himself.”
This is how Kaylin Williams remembers her 56-year-old father, Hilton Williams, who was one of two taxi drivers claimed in the fatal shooting that rocked Macassar last Tuesday (26 August). The incident was one of two shootings that struck in different corners of the Helderberg, as taxi-related violence reached a deadly climax (“Taxi turmoil”, DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 27 August). The Macassar tragedy came just one day after fatal incidents in Philippi East and Khayelitsha, and preceded another in Strand that left a scholar-transport driver (34) wounded.
The escalating violence stems from a deadly feud between rival taxi associations Cata and Codeta over lucrative routes connecting Somerset West, Lwandle, Mfuleni and Khayelitsha. Tuesday’s incidents prompted swift action by authorities, including temporary closure of the Somerset West Public Transport Interchange (“Taxi troubles: Commuters stranded as police close taxi rank after fatal shootings,” 27 August).
To protect thousands of commuters the Western Cape High Court granted the Western Cape Mobility Department an urgent interdict on Thursday 28 August (“Taxi U-turn: Court delivers urgent lifeline to halt deadly turf war,” 29 August).
The court order addresses multiple aspects of the conflict, specifically prohibiting members of the two taxi associations and its affiliates from interfering with transport services at the Somerset West taxi rank, Somerset West Mall and on four key routes: Khayelitsha to Somerset West; Lwandle to Khayelitsha; Mfuleni to Somerset West; and Nomzamo to Mfuleni.
Additionally, the interdict bans threats, intimidation or interference with other minibus-taxi operators or their drivers, requires minibus taxi associations to follow the rules of their existing operating licences and directs them to act immediately to stop unlawful behaviour. The order will remain in place until Thursday 9 October, when the court will decide whether to make it permanent.
While it’s now business as usual at the PTI two local families are battling with the reality of losing loved ones.
“The family is holding on, trying to keep strong for one another,” Kaylin pointed out. “Losing a loved one who was there every day is difficult; it’s hard, and in such a manner, it’s even unfair.” She appealed to authorities to enhance safety measures for vulnerable taxi drivers facing dangers.
The 30-year-old recalled last seeing her father alive on Monday night when he had returned home from work, greeted everyone and retired to his room. She was getting her children ready for school when she received a call with the devastating news from another taxi driver.
“He loved his work very much, besides his family. If he wasn’t at home he was at work. He was so loyal.”
Apart from his flou jokes she will especially miss the sound of his taxi stopping outside the house.
“One didn’t need to check who it was; we knew instantly from the taxi’s distinctive sound.”
Her dad’s legacy of being loving and caring will live on through them.
Williams is survived by his wife, Ursula (56), two children Kaylin and Kyle (34), five grandchildren and elderly mother, Joan, who is devastated by the loss of her son.
The family of the second victim, Mandla Sitshoni, a 53-year-old taxi driver in greater Lwandle could not be reached.
A joint memorial service for both Sitshoni and Williams will be held at the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) church hall in Ring Avenue, Macassar tonight (Wednesday 3 September) at 18:00.
On Monday (1 September) the Mobility Department urged the taxi associations to prioritise commuters and the industry’s collective interests by resuming negotiations.
“Commuter safety is my top priority. If this stalemate continues, the industry will force my hand to impose even harsher sanctions.”
said Mobility Minister Isaac Sileku.
Cata spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi condemned the recent violence, emphasising the association was committed to peaceful resolution, although no further discussions are tabled at this point.
Codeta spokesperson Makhosandile Tumana expressed satisfaction with the legal action to prioritise public safety, but voiced concerns over income loss and the potential impact of possibly introducing bus services on the affected routes to prioritise the public’s safety. “We appeal to government to seek intervention for the taxi associations and the City of Cape Town as our regulator to resolve this matter.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.