By Buziwe Nocuze
· Codeta confirms one of its drivers was gunned down while dropping off a passenger in the morning.
· Passengers say fares are inconsistent, fueling tensions, while police believe the killing is taxi-related.
A taxi driver from Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) has been murdered inside Somerset taxi rank in Makhaza section, Khayelitsha township, Cape Town.
The killing happened on Thursday morning as the driver was dropping off a passenger at the busy taxi.
Nolukholo Gugana, a passenger, said she fears that another round of taxi violence has started.
“I heard that there’s an issue between two taxi associations. They are not agreeing on the matter of transporting passengers from Somerset taxi rank to Somerset,” she said.
Another passenger, who asked not to be named, complained about unfair fares.
“We are paying R23 from Khayelitsha to Somerset, but returning is expensive, we are paying R30. We don’t have money. They must sit down, talk about it and come up with a decision to make everyone happy,” she said.
She said she felt bad that a driver lost his life, but was grateful the passenger inside the taxi survived.
“A lot of passengers have been caught in the crossfire during taxi violence. At least the one that was inside this taxi in the front survived,” she said.
Another taxi driver, also speaking anonymously, described the shooting.
“The suspects came from the driver’s side and started shooting. The driver tried running by jumping from his seat to the back but they continued shooting him. They didn’t shoot the passenger,” he said.
He added that the incident has left drivers shaken.
“It is our job, we cannot run away just because one of us has been murdered. We pray that it doesn’t escalate and that no more people will lose their lives,” he said.
Makhosandile Tumana, spokesperson for Codeta, confirmed the murder.
“One of our drivers was shot dead this morning at the taxi rank. He was working on the Mowbray route. We don’t know the reason behind the shooting but we suspect it may be because of the issues involving the Somerset route,” Tumana said.
Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk said Makhaza police registered a murder case.
“According to reports, members received a complaint about a shooting. On arrival, they found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, lying halfway out of the door of the taxi,” Van Wyk said.
He confirmed that the motive is believed to be taxi-related.
Pictured above: A taxi driver from Codeta was shot dead inside Somerset taxi rank earlier today
Image Credit: Buziwe Nocuze
