Fear of taxi violence as three are gunned down

THREE men were shot dead at the Joe Slovo taxi rank, in Milnerton, on Wednesday. A fourth person was wounded. Police were deployed to the scene, at about 9am on Wednesday morning. Detectives said that preliminary findings suggested that the killings were linked to the ongoing conflict in the taxi industry. Picture: Leon Lestrade African News Agency (ANA)

THREE men were shot dead at the Joe Slovo taxi rank, in Milnerton, on Wednesday. A fourth person was wounded. Police were deployed to the scene, at about 9am on Wednesday morning. Detectives said that preliminary findings suggested that the killings were linked to the ongoing conflict in the taxi industry. Picture: Leon Lestrade African News Agency (ANA)

Published Sep 22, 2021

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Cape Town - There are fears of another taxi violence flare-up, following the fatal shooting of three taxi operators this morning, at the Joe Slovo taxi rank, Milnerton.

According to police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa, police were called out to the crime scene at about 9am, where they found the bodies of three men with gunshot wounds.

“A fourth person, who was also shot and wounded in the incident, was taken to a medical facility for treatment,” she said.

“Detectives from the Taxi Task Team are investigating circumstances surrounding a shooting incident, at the Joe Slovo taxi rank, on Wednesday morning,” said Potelwa.

She said the ages of the deceased persons are estimated to be between 27 and 40.

“Their identities are yet to be determined. Preliminary findings are that the incident is linked to taxi conflict,” added Potelwa.

Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) spokesperson Andile Seyamo said he does not know what the shooting was about.

“This is the first time I am hearing about it, I cannot answer for something I do not know,” said Seyamo.

Taxi violence in July left close to 30 people shot dead, and thousands of commuters were left stranded, after operators pulled out of routes due to fear. The violence forced MEC of Transport and Public Works Daylin Mitchell to close taxi ranks and routes. He had recently allowed minibus taxis, that were barred from operating in the Bellville Transport interchange, back after he was satisfied that the violence had abated enough to allow the associations to operate from Bellville again.

Anyone who has information about the shooting incident is urged to contact the police on 08600 10111 or through the MySAPSApp.

Weekend Argus