The South African Police Service (SAPS) and the City of Cape Town have stepped up joint security operations in response to ongoing taxi-related shootings, with several arrests and firearm seizures reported.

Senior representatives from the SAPS in the Western Cape and the City’s law enforcement agencies met on Friday morning, October 30, at the Joint Public Safety Operational Centre in Parow to assess the ongoing operations.

The joint operational plan got under way early this morning, with officers receiving briefings before being deployed to various areas.

During the meeting, the joint security management team reviewed live camera footage from identified hotspots to support the monitoring of incidents and enable a swift operational response.

The agencies have also committed to sharing their specialist operational resources to strengthen efforts to combat crime and address the ongoing taxi violence.

Three arrested in Mfuleni

Three suspects were arrested and four firearms seized in Mfuleni on Thursday night during an operation by members of the Mfuleni SAPS Crime Prevention Unit.

The officers had been deployed in response to taxi-related shootings targeting operators in residential areas.

The arrests followed an attack on a taxi driver who was travelling with a woman. The gunmen fled after opening fire. The driver later died from his injuries, while the woman was wounded and taken to a medical facility.

The three suspects are expected to appear in court. Their court appearance date was not specified.

ALSO READ: Three arrested in Mfuleni for taxi-violence-linked murder

Taxi driver arrested at Site C

In a separate operation, detectives from the provincial Taxi Violence Unit arrested a 54-year-old taxi driver at the Site C taxi rank after finding him in possession of an unlicensed firearm and 15 rounds of ammunition.

He is expected to appear in court on Monday on charges relating to the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

Operations continue across Cape Town

Joint security deployments remain in place at various locations across Cape Town.

The City’s Traffic Services has also impounded several vehicles since Thursday as part of efforts to address the taxi violence and the factors contributing to it.

The SAPS in the Western Cape, together with the City’s Metro Police, Law Enforcement and Traffic Services, remain on high alert as targeted operations continue.

The joint agencies say the operations are aimed at improving public safety and protecting commuters and other road users.

ALSO READ: Taxi-violence causes staff constraints at Cape Town International Airport