Two people killed as Western Cape taxi strike turns deadly

The two people were shot and killed in separate incidents on Monday.

In the first incident, near Cape Town International Airport, a motorist fired shots at people who appeared to have been stoning vehicles.

Police spokesperson Novela Potelwa said more law enforcement officials have been deployed.

"An individual was shot dead and three others injured after a motorist was pelted with stones on Airport Approach. The driver responded to the attack by firing several shots. As a result, a death and three injuries were recorded," said Potelwa.

Potelwa said murder and attempted murder cases are being investigated.  

"The identity of the deceased person is yet to be determined. The incident has further compounded efforts to clear the road with traffic flowing and deployments still in place in the area.”

In a separate incident, a second person was found dead on Monday morning.

Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said while the circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation, the motive for the attack is believed to be taxi-related.

Swartbooi said Nyanga police responded to a complaint on Monday morning.

"Upon their arrival in Borcherds Quarry, close to the N2 highway, they found the body of a 28-year-old male who sustained multiple gunshots.

“The victim was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel. The unknown suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested," said Swartbooi.

Swartbooi says Nyanga police are investigating a case of murder.

The taxi stay-away continued on Monday after Santaco’s Western Cape leadership, City of Cape Town MMC for Urban Mobility Roberto Quintas, and Western Cape Minister of Mobility Ricardo Mackenzie failed to reach an agreement on Sunday afternoon.

In a joint statement released on Monday morning, the government officials said both city and provincial governments are committed to further urgent engagement with taxi leadership.

"All parties have reiterated the call for calm and for no further violence and that there should be no interference with other public transport operators.”

Meanwhile, Santaco issued a statement on Sunday evening confirming that the stay-away will continue until Wednesday.

"However, we are open to talks with the government to find a speedy resolution to this issue, and we call on all our operators not to interfere with other modes of transport and not to take part in any criminal activities," said Santaco.

At the same time, Golden Arrow  Bus Services confirmed that three busses were set alight on Monday morning.

This brings the total number of busses damaged since the strike started on Thursday to nine.

Western Cape MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety Reagen Allen confirmed that over 1500 law enforcement officers have been deployed.

Forty-three arrests have been made, while 43 taxis have also been impounded.

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