INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS

A vehicles window was smashed during taxi violence in Hout Bay. A taxi transporting schoolchildren was attacked as rival taxi groups clashed. Photo: Cindy Waxa

A pedestrian was shot in the head in Hout Bay on Wednesday during taxi violence that left several drivers injured, and dozens of schoolchildren stranded and traumatised.

Police spokesman Frederick van Wyk said a 51-year-old suspect was arrested on attempted murder charges and his (legal) firearm was confiscated.

Van Wyk said charges of malicious damage to property, common assault and public violence were also opened following the incident.

“At about 7.15am, two (taxi) groups clashed at the taxi rank in Mandela Road, Mandela Park. People were fighting in the street and stones were thrown at vehicles,” said van Wyk.

A Toyota Condor taxi transporting schoolchildren was also attacked with the children still inside. Van Wyk said none of the children were hurt.

“The children did not sustain any injuries but are traumatised. All the vehicles that were damaged are taxis, except for one delivery truck, which was also stoned.”

He said shots were fired during an altercation between members of the Imizamo Yethu Taxi Association and the United Car Taxi Association when the pedestrian, 37, was hurt.

“He received a gunshot wound to the back of the head. The victim managed to come down to Hout Bay SAPS, where he was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital. His condition is stable,” said van Wyk.

Meanwhile, the two taxi associations accused each other of provocation.

Lunga Vellem, an executive member of the Imizamo Yethu Taxi Association, accused members of the United Car Taxi Association of attacking first.

“They blocked off the rank and beat us, so we beat back. They’re operating illegally. We’ve been operating here for 15 years. How can another organisation have a permit to operate here when we’re already here?”

But Nowam Dlilanga, a member of the United Car Taxi Association, said she and her colleagues were well within their rights to trade in the area.

“They beat us and our drivers, and threw rocks at our cars. We all belong here, our homes are here. Why do they want to operate alone here? If they operate, we’ll also operate. If a taxi association must shut down, then all taxi associations in the area must be shut down,” said Dlilanga.

Pupils who were unable to go to school were furious.

“We don’t even know why they’re fighting. We should get buses to take us to school to avoid this,” said one pupil.

Bernie Macmahon, acting director of operating licences and permits in the city, said the incident was being investigated.

“They (IYTA) are correct; not more than one association can run on one network of routes. You need to be 10 members with 10 valid operating licences to be registered. You can have more than one association aligned to a route, but the pick-up and the drop-off points can’t be the same,” said Macmahon.

sibongakonke.mama@inl.co.za

Read about changes to IOL’s article comments