A taxi war is brewing on the Cape Flats after several people in the industry have been shot and killed over the last few weeks.
String of shootings
The latest in a string of shootings happened on Thursday 22 October when two men were killed and a third wounded at the Palm taxi rank in Main Road, Delft. Later the same day, a shooting occurred in Maitland where another two men were killed and one injured.
On Wednesday 21 October, a taxi driver was killed in Robert Sobukwe Drive in Valhalla Park and three female passengers injured. On Friday 16 October, two taxi owners were shot and killed in Fisher Avenue in Epping.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel F.C. van Wyk says Delft police responded to a shooting at the Palm taxi rank in Main Road, Delft at about 05:10. “The injured victim was taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment. Delft police registered two counts of murder and an attempted murder for investigation. The motive is believed to be taxi related. Anyone with information about this fatal shooting incident is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously,” says Van Wyk.
Police also confirmed the rest of the attacks and that two suspects have been arrested for the killings in Epping.
Condemned
Isaac Sileku, Western Cape mobility minister, has condemned the recent taxi-related shootings across the province, saying violence and threats have no place in the public transport industry. Shootings have also been reported in Somerset West and Khayelitsha.
Sileku says he is concerned that some of the violence may be linked to disputes between taxi organisations over routes and control of parts of the industry, putting the lives of commuters, residents and taxi operators at risk. “The provincial government will take firm action, within the law, to address the violence and improve public safety. Residents must be able to travel to work, school and other destinations without fearing for their lives. Disagreements over taxi routes must never lead to shootings, threats or intimidation. We will work with the police and the taxi industry to restore peace and protect our residents,” says Sileku.
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He says the provincial government will not use mediation to resolve disputes where associations or operators are trying to take over routes without the required operating licences or legal standing. “Such cases will instead be addressed through the appropriate legal and regulatory processes. Our position is clear: no taxi association or operator is above the law. Disputes over routes must not cost lives. We will work with our partners and use the legal measures available to restore stability and protect our residents,” he says.
Some of the measures the department is working on with the police and other government agencies, according to Sileku, include more coordinated law enforcement, investigating taxi associations, taking action against operators involved in violence and supporting police investigations. “The department has given the police information about two minibus taxis identified in connection with recent shootings and they have confirmed two arrests. The department will continue monitoring the cases and call on the Western Cape police commissioner to prioritise taxi-related murders, attempted murders and extortion,” he says.
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