Cape Town's mayor and the Western Cape's mobility MEC have appealed to taxi industry leaders to stop a wave of shootings linked to route disputes between two rival associations, the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA). According to published reports, the violence has escalated in parts of the city despite earlier peace agreements.
Two people were injured in a shooting at the Delft Palm taxi rank on Wednesday morning. No verified death toll has been published for the latest flare-up, and no arrests were reported in the coverage we reviewed.
Where the shootings have happened
The violence has affected Zwelihle in Hermanus, Epping, Maitland, Delft, Mfuleni and Gugulethu, according to published reports. The Delft Palm rank shooting on Wednesday is the most recent incident reported. Earlier, we reported on a separate suspected taxi-related shooting at a Delft rank on 22 October.
What officials say and plan
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis urged industry leaders to act, saying: "I call on taxi industry leaders to stop this and to rise above the violence." He said Metro Police would support the South African Police Service and keep a heightened presence at taxi ranks and transport interchanges.
Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku warned CATA and CODETA of decisive action. He said "putting people's lives at risk, is not acceptable." Law enforcement will be deployed to identified hotspots. Sileku recalled that he ordered a 30-day closure of high-risk routes more than a year ago. He said Thursday's meeting between the industry and government must produce a clear commitment to stop the killings.
