Stray bullet injures child amid escalating taxi violence in Cape Town

An eight-year-old boy was wounded as taxi violence erupted around the Cape metropole at the weekend. 

The boy was hit by a stray bullet as a Strand taxi driver was gunned down in Lwandle on Saturday night. 

This comes while the Cape is reeling in shock following a tragic shooting that took place on Friday morning at a Mfuleni taxi rank, where seven people, including a commuter, were shot, resulting in the killing of four men and three wounded in the shooting. 

Gunmen stormed a Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) office and opened fire on the victims.

The motive behind the attack is believed to be related to the ongoing conflict within the taxi industry.

The public relations officer for the Strand Community Policing Forum (CPF), Niklaas Thysen, said: “It has been confirmed that a taxi violence shooting incident where a taxi owner was shot dead at Lwandle Street on [Saturday] night. 

"The circumstances around the shooting incident where a taxi owner was shot dead are unknown at this stage and are currently being investigated by the Provincial SAPS Serious and Violent Crimes Unit. 

"We are hoping that the parties involved in the Taxi industry together with all Law Enforcement agencies can find a peaceful solution as soon as possible.”

Police are investigating the taxi-related shooting after a taxi owner was killed on Saturday evening and the 8-year-old wounded in Strand.

The incident took place around 7pm in Vulindlela Street, Lwandle, when the victim was gunned down in his VW Polo vehicle and the 8-year-old child sustained injuries during the shooting but was taken to hospital for treatment.

Police spokesperson, Joseph Swartbooi, confirmed the case and said that the motive for this attack is believed to be taxi related.

He said police are investigating a case of murder and a case of attempted murder after the boy was hit.

"The driver of the motor vehicle sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel. An 8-year-old child also sustained injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. 

"The suspect/s fled the scene and they are yet to be arrested. The motive for this attack is believed to be taxi related. Lwandle police registered cases of murder and attempted murder for further investigation,” said Swartbooi. 

Police are appealing to anyone with information to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or alternatively use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.

Cape Argus