Surge in taxi-related murders as two more victims killed within 24 hours
Taxi-related murders have surged this week, with two men shot dead on Wednesday morning at a taxi rank in Masiphumele.
This follows a mass shooting just a day earlier at a taxi rank in Nyanga, where four people lost their lives and two others were injured in what police suspect is a taxi-related attack.
At around 6.45am on Wednesday, as commuters gathered, unknown assailants opened fire on Pokela Road, claiming the lives of two victims.
Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed: “Provincial Serious Violent Crime detectives are investigating two counts of murder following a shooting incident at Pokela Road in Masiphumelele on Wednesday, June 3 2026.
“Ocean View Police responded to reports of a shooting at about 6.45am, and upon arrival, they found the lifeless bodies of two males aged 41 and 42 on the street with gunshot wounds.
“The motive for the shooting is suspected to be taxi-related, and no arrest has been made yet.”
In a separate incident on Tuesday afternoon, a man was fatally shot at a petrol station in Highlands Drive, Lentegeur, prompting a murder investigation by local police.
According to reports, the deceased was at a carwash across the road and walked to the petrol station on Highlands Drive when he was gunned down.
He ran to a nearby convenience store, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Gwala added: “This office confirms that Lentegeur police registered a case of murder following a shooting incident that occurred at a petrol station in Highlands Drive, Lentegeur, on Tuesday.
“According to reports, the deceased was at a carwash across the road, and he walked to the petrol station. As he reached the petrol pump, an unknown suspect opened fire. He ran into the convenience store and succumbed to the injuries.
“He was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel. The motive for the attack is yet to be determined, and no arrest has been made yet.”