By Buziwe Nocuze
- A taxi owner was shot dead in Lwandle and an eight-year-old child was injured, sparking fears of rising taxi violence.
- The killing is believed to be revenge for a previous attack; commuters are stranded and fear for their safety as tensions grow.
A taxi owner was shot and killed in Lwandle, Cape Town, on Saturday evening. An eight-year-old child was also injured in the same attack.
Taxi group CATA confirmed that the victim was one of their members.
The killing came just days after four Codeta taxi owners were gunned down at the Mfuleni taxi rank on Friday last week. Two other owners and a passenger were also wounded and taken to hospital.
On Monday morning, commuters in Lwandle and Nomzamo had no transport. Taxi drivers refused to work after the killing over the weekend.
A commuter, who asked not to be named, said drivers had blocked roads and closed the local taxi rank.
“We fear for our lives, and it looks like the taxi war has started. The sad part about all of this is that we as passengers are going to get involved over something that had nothing to do with us,” she said.
She believes the latest killing was revenge.
“I think his death is retaliation. Remember that in Mfuleni, seven people were shot, and four owners died, this is far from over,” she added.
Another commuter, 40-year-old Luzuko Msungubali, said he doesn’t know how he will get home.
“When these taxi associations fight, innocent people get caught, like what happened at the Mfuleni taxi rank. I don’t know why they always fight in winter. We don’t feel safe, and we hope that the law enforcement agencies will stop it before it escalates further,” he said.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi confirmed the killing.
He said Lwandle police responded to a call on Vulindlela Street at around 7pm.
“Upon arrival in Vulindlela Street at about 19:00, they found a VW Polo on the road. The driver of the motor vehicle sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel,” said Swartbooi.
He added that an eight-year-old child was also hurt and taken to hospital.
The suspects ran away and have not been arrested.
“The motive for this attack is believed to be taxi-related. Lwandle police registered cases of murder and attempted murder for further investigation,” said Swartbooi.
Pictured above: A police vehicle.
Image source: X
