One person shot during Limpopo taxi violence

One person was shot and wounded near the Mall of the North shopping centre in Polokwane as tensions between members of two rival taxi associations intensified, Limpopo police said on Thursday.

Police spokesman, Captain Ntobeng Phala, said the members of the two taxi associations were fighting over the route between Mankweng township and Polokwane.

”When we were called there, a fist fight had apparently ensued between the two groups and one of the taxi association members was shot already. He was shot on his lower body and was transferred to hospital in a stable condition,” Phala said.

He said the man belonged to the Mankweng Polokwane Taxi Association.

A meeting was convened on Thursday evening to diffuse tensions, said Phala.

”The meeting is between the taxi associations and the police to ensure that commuters’ lives are not put in danger as a result of the taxi violence. We are also trying to avoid possible strike over routes by taxi drivers, which would leave commuters stranded,” he said.

No arrests had been made, and investigations in the incident continued. -ANA

(File photo: Getty Images)