Johannesburg CBD has been rocked by unrest on Saturday, after four taxis were torched, in what’s believed to be a coordinated attack.
Johannesburg CBD taxis torched: Here’s what we know
Video footage showing the charred frame of four minibuses sent shockwaves on social media. While police confirmed that no injuries or deaths have come from the suspected arson attack, it’s not known who’s behind the attack.
Suspicions have risen that it could be linked to a brewing taxi association war but at this time, no formal notice of such a claim has surfaced.
Here are video footage of the four minibuses catching fire.
#Unrest Reports of violent taxi war in Commissioner Street, Central Johannesburg. Please stay clear from area… @BOSBEER2006 @WCLiveTraffic @MARIUSBROODRYK @News24 @SAPoliceService @eNCA pic.twitter.com/3ZpMGy4kDr
— BOSBEER.COM (@BOSBEER2006) October 16, 2021
Scenes of the burning taxis in Joburg’s CBD mimic the unrest that broke out in Korsten, Gqeberha, earlier this week. What started out as a moment of road rage between a taxi driver and Somali motorist ended in at least eight taxis getting charred at the ever-busying Durban Road taxi rank.
“All the taxis were stationary at the rank. No one sustained any injuries. Police have opened a case of public violence. The situation is still tense and police are on high alert and will remain in the area monitoring the situation,” police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu revealed.
Thus far, police, who came close to trading blows with Somali nationals during an immigration inspection on Friday, have not made any arrests related to the arson attack.