City offers R100 000 reward after Atlantis taxi shooting kills Grade 8 learner

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the City is offering a reward of up to R100 000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for violent taxi-related killings in Atlantis, including Wednesday’s shooting outside Atlantis Secondary School that claimed the life of a 14-year-old learner.

Hill-Lewis announced the reward on Thursday, saying the community had been hit by a spate of violent incidents linked to disputes within the taxi industry.

“I have now instructed that the City offers a reward of up to R100 000 for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible. Anyone who can help should please come forward, and may do so anonymously,” Hill-Lewis said.

In the latest incident outside Atlantis Secondary School, police reported that a gunman approached a taxi driver while he was waiting to load children, killing the driver and a Grade 8 learner.

According to the South African Police Service, officers responded at about 2:50pm to a shooting in Palmer Avenue, Avondale. A 42-year-old taxi driver and a 14-year-old girl were killed. Police said two other learners were injured. Two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder have been registered, and the case has been transferred to the Provincial Detectives: Taxi Violence Investigations Unit. No arrests have been made and the motive remains under investigation.

In a letter to parents on Wednesday, Atlantis Secondary School principal Mrs M. J. Adonis confirmed that the shooting occurred outside the school gate.

“It is with great sadness that we must inform you that a shooting incident occurred outside the school gate today when a taxi driver was shot,” the letter read, adding that “one of our learners, a grade 8 girl unfortunately succumbed to her injuries”.

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) confirmed that three learners were injured in the incident and have since been treated and discharged.

WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said: “The WCED can sadly confirm the tragic and senseless death of a Grade 8 learner outside the school yesterday afternoon (after school had been dismissed). Three Grade 9 learners also sustained injuries and received medical care.”

She added that the remaining three learners “have been seen to and been discharged”.

The Western Cape Government condemned what it described as minibus taxi-related violence in Atlantis.

Western Cape Mobility Minister Isaac Sileku said: “The Western Cape Government strongly condemns this act of violence. The loss of a learner under these circumstances is a profound tragedy. It is unacceptable that our children continue to be exposed to danger as a result of ongoing conflict within the taxi industry. The safety of commuters and learners is non-negotiable and must never be compromised by industry conflict.”

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said the City’s Safety and Security Investigations Unit would assist the investigation and supported the reward initiative.

Anonymous tip-offs to the City can be made 24/7 on 0800 00 6992 or via email at [email protected]. Police have also appealed for information via Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

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