Law enforcer killed in Nyanga amid taxi strike

Zanikhaya Kwinana, 32, and two colleagues were driving along Miller Road enroute to Bishop Lavis, when the gunman opened fire.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis responded on social media on Saturday morning, vowing to find the suspects.

"I am deeply saddened by the murder of a City of Cape Town LEAP officer whilst on duty in Nyanga last night. My deepest condolences to his family. All of Cape Town mourns with them. The City and SAPS will work together to bring his killers to justice, and we will offer the maximum possible reward.”

Hill- Lewis added that the murder could be related to the ongoing taxi strike that has brought the Mother City to a standstill this week.

Violence erupted when buses, private cars and an ambulance transporting a patient were pelted with petrol bombs.

"We know we must persevere in the long and difficult task of building a society founded on the rule of law, where criminals do not rule. We will persevere despite tragedy and setback, for that is the only way South Africa can succeed," wrote Mayor Hill-Lewis.

Authorities in the city have announced that they would impound taxis where drivers do not obey traffic laws and vehicles are not road worthy.

This led to the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) calling for the strike this week.

Meanwhile, Santaco’s Secretary-General Baki Qumbu believes that the safest solution is for the industry to withdraw its services.

"We are in support of the taxi services withdrawal for a few days. It would be unprofessional and put the industry under duress if they continued to operate as if nothing happened.

"The laws formulated by the city are very unfair. Any offence a car is being impounded. We encourage that negotiations should take place to guide our structures at a provincial level," Qumbu said.

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