A devastating scene unfolded on Friday in NY5, Gugulethu, as another taxi operator, presumed to be from the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CATA), met a violent end.
Nyanga taxi shooting increases fears of a bloody war
This tragic incident comes on the heels of a deadly shooting on Tuesday when five CATA members were targeted, leaving three dead. The escalating taxi violence has ignited calls for heightened police visibility in notorious hotspots.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi detailed the grim discovery at the corner of Sheffield and Monwood Drive, Brown’s Farm.
A 29-year-old man was found lifeless after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.
“The victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel,” Swartbooi confirmed.
Two additional victims were rushed to a nearby hospital, their conditions a testament to the dire situation.
“The motive for this attack is taxi-related,” he noted.
The recent spate of violence follows a sinister pattern, traced back to an incident two weeks prior, where two taxi owners were mercilessly shot dead.
The scene of their demise was near a local church, adjacent to the Nyanga taxi rank, shortly after a meeting.
“The motive for this incident forms part of the police investigation,” stated provincial spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk.
Is a citywide taxi revolt on the cards?
The increase in taxi-related violence has not only alarmed the authorities but also sown seeds of fear among commuters.
With the shadow of potential infighting between rival taxi factions looming large, the public is urged to tread carefully and explore alternative modes of transportation.
Speculation about a possible citywide taxi shutdown is rife, a scenario that would spell disaster for taxi operations citywide.
Last year’s catastrophic shutdown, which claimed several lives including a British doctor, culminated in a pact between taxi groups and the City of Cape Town.
Agreed upon were specific protocols aimed at averting such chaos through peaceful means.
Yet, as the city braces itself against this backdrop of unrest, no official statement has emerged regarding the NY5 tragedy.
The silence from police quarters only adds to the tension, leaving many to wonder about the future of public transport in Cape Town.