THE taxi violence innie Kaap has rukked hand uit as another driver was shot and wounded on Tuesday evening in Lwandle ahead of today’s task team meeting.
This shooting took place amid the ongoing conflict between rival taxi associations Cape Congress of Democratic Taxi Associations (Codeta) and the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) regarding routes.
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said that Lwandle SAPS are investigating a case of attempted murder after the 62-year-old man was shot in the upper body in Richmond Street.
Van Wyk reports: “This office can confirm that a case of attempted murder was registered at Lwandle police following a shooting incident last night at about 6.32pm at Richmond Street, Nomzamo.
“According to reports the 62-year-old male was arriving at the mentioned address when he was approached by unidentified suspect/s who shot him and fled the scene. The victim was shot in the upper body and was taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment.”
Police are requesting anyone who might have information regarding this incident to kindly contact Lwandle police detective branch commander, Captain Caroline Calitz on 082 469 7454 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Cata spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi said that he can confirm that the driver who was shot is a member of Cata.
The taxi war has already left a trail of devastation, triggered by a mass shooting at the Mfuleni taxi rank where four people died and three were injured last Friday.
Last Saturday, an eight-year-old boy was wounded by a stray bullet in Lwandle when another taxi driver was killed.
And on Monday night, another driver was gunned down in Langa.
Ahead of today’s meeting, Western Cape Mobility Minister Isaac Sileku says: “I call on all role players to remain calm and allow the law to take its course. We must never accept violence as a way to resolve disputes.”
The Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais confirmed that SAPS investigations are ongoing, and that Law Enforcement presence in affected areas has been intensified.