Escalating violence in the taxi industry prompts urgent response from authorities

A series of violent killings in the taxi industry has prompted an urgent response from taxi associations and provincial government officials, who are now working together to find solutions to the escalating violence.

Two brutal murders in less than 24 hours, between Sunday and Monday raised the tally to five in the last seven days, following three deaths last week. 

On Sunday night, a 33-year-old taxi owner affiliated to the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) was shot and killed at 10.30pm while sitting inside his Toyota Fortuner in Mashakane Street, Lwandle, Somerset West.

Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that Lwandle police are investigating a case of murder.

Van Wyk reported: “Circumstances surrounding a shooting incident on Sunday night at 10.30pm at Mashakane Street, Lwandle where the body of a 33-year-old male was found are under investigation.”

On Monday afternoon, a 29-year-old taxi driver was killed and his passengers robbed on Robert Sobukwe Road.

Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed that a murder is under investigation.

Gwala reported: “The 29-year-old victim sustained wounds on his upper body and succumbed a few metres from the scene. The suspects proceeded to rob the driver and the passengers before fleeing.”

Following a violent conflict between Cata and rival taxi association Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) that led to a government-enforced shutdown, questions are being raised over the pattern and rate of killings. 

Cata spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi said he is not sure what are the circumstances surrounding this incident.

He explained: “I do not know what transpired regarding this shooting, all the people are on holiday so we only have police assisting us when it comes to information, the only people who can assist with information are those who were at the crime scene.

“We do not know what the shootings is all about. The whole year we have been dealing with killings of taxi owners and drivers, we do not know what is going to happen next year. We will have to talk about it in the new year.”

Head of Communication for the Western Cape Department of Mobility, Muneera Allie said they are aware of the shootings but are waiting on police to give them guidance. 

Allie told the Cape Argus' sister newspaper, the Daily Voice: “We are aware of some of the incidents. As to whether we can link or relate it to the challenges we had earlier, we are waiting on the reports from the SAPS investigations in order to determine that.

“Overall, any loss of life on the road or violent acts is always a concern in the province but we have to wait for SAPS to complete the investigations so we can fully understand the cause of these incidents.”

Western Cape Mobility MEC, Isaac Sileku, approached the court earlier this year following ongoing conflict between the rival associations, particularly over the contested M18 route between Mfuleni and Somerset West. 

Despite attempts to mediate, violence escalated from June 2025 onward, leading to several fatalities and continued threats to public safety. A temporary interdict was granted in August 2025, but violent incidents persisted, including as recently as October and the order was made permanent via court ruling earlier this month.

Western Cape Mobility MEC, Isaac Sileku, approached the court earlier this year following ongoing conflict between the rival associations, particularly over the contested M18 route between Mfuleni and Somerset West. 

Despite attempts to mediate, violence escalated from June 2025 onward, leading to several fatalities and continued threats to public safety. A temporary interdict was granted in August 2025, but violent incidents persisted, including as recently as October and the order was made permanent via court ruling earlier this month.

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Cape Argus