The spate of taxi violence has once again reared its ugly head in South Africa, after five people were gunned down by unknown assailants in Nyanga, Cape Town.
Two other people were wounded in the violence which occurred on the evening of Monday, 23 November 2020.
The South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Taxi Task Team in the province has since launched an investigation into the incident.
“Reports from the scene reveal that seven individuals were sitting in a taxi in Sihlanu Avenue near the Nyanga Terminus when the gunmen approached and fired numerous shots at approximately 21:30. Four men between the ages of 30 and 36 died on the scene,” said SAPS provincial spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa.
Police are currently investigating cases of murder and attempted murder.
Police investigating deadly taxi shooting
Three people were then taken to hospital for medical treatment, however a fifth person later succumbed to their injuries. The two other victims who also sustained injuries remain in hospital.
Potelwa said the team of investigators was hard at work pursuing specific leads, in a bid to crack the case. While the motive for the incident is not yet clear, police believe it to be related to taxi violence.
“In response to the Nyanga shooting incident and another that occurred at the Cape Town station deck taxi hub where several individuals were injured on Monday afternoon, police have bolstered deployments at potential hotspots,” she further said.
Just hours prior, law enforcement officials handcuffed one suspect and confiscated a gun after a number of people were wounded, in another taxi shooting as part of a war between bosses.
Shots were fired at the Cape Town station deck taxi rank. Police said the suspect fled the scene in different directions while they continued firing.
“Cases of attempted murder are under investigation. The suspect will appear in court once he has been charged. The possibility that the incident is related to the taxi industry is not ruled out,” she said.
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