Somerset West taxi drivers protest after fatal shooting of taxi owner

Taxi drivers staged a protest on Monday morning in Somerset West

Jaco Marais/Netwerk24/Gallo Images

Taxi drivers staged a protest on Monday morning,leading to the closure of the Somerset West taxi rank in Western Cape.Commuters in Lwandle and Nomzamo were stranded as taxis remained parked,and many operators refused to load passengers.This comes after a taxi owner was shot dead in Lwandle on Saturday night.

Taxi operators in Somerset West,Western Cape,have taken to the streets,blocking roads and shutting down the local taxi rank following the death of a taxi owner in a shooting in Lwandle over the weekend.

As a result of the protest action,the Somerset West Methodist Primary School shut its doors.

Kerry Mauchline,the spokesperson for Education MEC David Maynier said “teaching and learning at the school had been disrupted due to the actions of taxi operators,and the school is currently following the procedures for closure”.

“Learners and staff are safe,and SAPS is providing updates and support,” she added.

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Mauchline also said it was disappointing that taxi operators’ activity impacted the constitutional rights of children.

READ | Four people killed,3 injured in Cape Town taxi rank shooting

City of Cape Town traffic services spokesperson Kevin Jacobs said roads had to be closed because taxis blocked several routes near the public transport interchange.

“Motorists are advised that Victoria Road is closed between the N2 and Reitz Street. De Beers Road is closed at the N2.

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“Please use alternative routes until further notice or delay any non-essential travel. Traffic officers are on duty to assist with diversions,” he said.

Commuters in Lwandle and Nomzamo were stranded as taxis remained parked at the rank,and many operators refused to load passengers.

The unrest comes after a taxi owner was shot dead in Lwandle on Saturday night.

The man was ambushed and gunned down while driving along Vulindlela Street.

An 8-year-old boy was caught in the crossfire and taken to hospital for treatment.

The killing occurred just a day after a deadly attack at a Mfuleni taxi rank.

In that incident,gunmen stormed the office of the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) and opened fire,killing four men and wounding seven people,including a commuter.

While some have speculated that the Lwandle shooting may have been an act of retaliation,taxi industry insiders suspect internal conflict is the real cause.

A senior taxi operator who is familiar with the situation said:

The recent violence in Mfuleni will be used as an excuse,but this looks like the work of the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) in Lwandle.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi confirmed the incidents and said the motive appeared to be linked to ongoing taxi violence.

“Lwandle police responded to a complaint on Saturday and discovered a VW Polo in the middle of Vulindlela Street around 7pm. The driver had sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was declared dead on the scene. An 8-year-old child was also injured and taken to the hospital,” said Swartbooi.

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No arrests have been made,and police have opened cases of murder and attempted murder.

Meanwhile,representatives from rival taxi associations are expected to meet on Monday afternoon to discuss ways to quell the escalating violence.

They declined to speak until after the meeting but urged commuters and taxi drivers to remain calm.

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Anyone who has further information can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the My SAPS app to give tips anonymously.