Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of two taxi owners at the Zwelihle taxi rank in September.
The suspects, aged 28 and 36, were arrested in Hermanus and Stanford over the weekend. Detectives from the Western Cape Police’s Provincial Taxi Violence Unit made the arrests.
They appeared in the Hermanus Magistrate’s Court on Monday 26 October on murder and attempted murder charges.
According to police, six gunmen were involved in the attack, in which two taxi owners were killed. Additionally, a taxi driver was injured in Hermanus.
ALSO READ: Two dead, one injured in shooting at Zwelihle taxi rank in Hermanus
The arrests come amid ongoing efforts to address taxi-related violence in the Overstrand. This includes a reported Western Cape High Court order claiming restriction of intimidation and interference with lawful taxi operations.
The order reportedly places restrictions on the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA), the Overstrand Taxi Association (OTA), their members and people acting alongside them.
Among other measures, the order also reportedly prohibits intimidation, harassment and assault. Further, it prohibits carrying firearms or dangerous weapons at taxi ranks or within five kilometres of a taxi rank in the Overstrand.
It also allegedly prohibits conduct aimed at preventing licensed taxis from operating. This includes blocking roads, stopping vehicles and interfering with taxi stickers without the vehicle owner’s permission.
The reported order further prohibits the demanding or collection of fees, levies or penalties from taxi operators.
CATA is also prohibited from forcing OTA to affiliate with it or establishing unauthorised structures in the Overstrand.
Western Cape Mobility Minister Isaac Sileku welcomed the reported restrictions. He said residents should not be denied access to public transport or placed in danger because of disputes within the taxi industry.
The exact relationship between the court order and the September shooting has not been established.
Police have not said whether the two arrested suspects are alleged to have been among the six gunmen. In addition, police have not said whether the shooting constitutes a breach of the order.
Months of violence and commuter fears
The latest arrests come amid months of deadly taxi-related violence in Zwelihle. This has raised concerns about the safety of taxi operators, their families and commuters.
At least seven deaths have been reported in the Overstrand since January this year. Altogether, it is believed that there has been approimately 20 taxi-related deaths since January 2025.
In September, Hermanus Times reported that police believed the attack was taxi-related.
Two murder cases and an attempted murder case were opened following the incident.
Subsequent coverage on 8 October highlighted growing fears among commuters. In addition, it highlighted allegations that the violence stemmed from a power struggle between OTA and CATA.
The dispute has been linked in previous reporting to disagreements over taxi routes, control of operations and allegations of intimidation.
CATA has denied accusations that it was responsible for stirring up the conflict.
On 2 October, allegations against the Overstrand Municipality suggested that it had contributed to the escalating violence. This reportedly happened by allowing an outside taxi association to operate in the area.
The allegations were made by Land Party leader Gcobani Ndzongana and have not been independently verified.
ALSO READ: Overstrand Municipality accused of inciting deadly taxi violence
The violence has also claimed the lives of other people in the local taxi industry.
On 13 June, alleged taxi owner Nceba Ntshinga was shot and killed near a driving school in Zwelihle.
ALSO READ: Alleged taxi owner gunned down in Zwelihle, Hermanus
In September, taxi driver Siyamanga Mdodana was shot dead while walking through an alley in the Dubai informal settlement towards his home, according to earlier local reporting. In August, taxi operations in the Overstrand had been brought to a standstill during a protest by OTA against CATA.
Reports described a dispute marked by allegations of intimidation and unexplained killings. CATA denied accusations levelled against it.
Police pursue further arrests
The Provincial Taxi Violence Unit has also made arrests in two separate investigations into taxi-related violence in Cape Town.
A 29-year-old suspect was arrested in Kensington in connection with the petrol-bombing of a taxi association chairperson’s home in Retreat on 30 September. He is expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court.
In a separate investigation into a shooting at the Epping taxi rank on 16 October, which left two taxi owners dead and another person injured, a 29-year-old suspect was arrested at the Langa taxi rank.
Two other suspects had already been arrested on the day of the shooting.
Police said deployments had been reinforced at identified hotspots for taxi-related shootings, while detectives continued investigating the cases.
The Western Cape Mobility Department said on 23 October that it was working with police and other government agencies to address taxi violence.
Measures include investigating taxi associations and licensed operators allegedly involved in unlawful conduct, as well as supporting police investigations.
The department also said it would seek urgent court orders where necessary to address unlawful attempts by taxi organisations to operate in areas served by other regional taxi councils.
The investigation into the Zwelihle shooting remains ongoing.
