POLICE are investigating taxi-related murders and attempted murders that claimed the lives of seven people on Tuesday morning and Monday evening.
In Ceres, five people were killed at the taxi rank when three yet-to-be-identified suspects opened fire randomly.
On Monday, a taxi owner was killed in Zwelitsha Drive, Nyanga East, and another was killed in Mathanbeka Street in Bloekombos, Kraaifontein, near the taxi rank.
Police spokesperson Novela Potelwa said detectives from the provincial taxi task team were still combing the scene in Ceres for clues.
“Reports from the crime scene indicate that three yet-to-be-identified suspects opened fire indiscriminately on taxis at a taxi rank after 7am seriously wounding a man who later died in hospital and four others who died on the scene.
“The identities of the deceased are yet to be released. Indications are that the shooting incident is taxi-conflict related,” said Potelwa.
Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said police are investigating the murder and attempted murder that occurred in Nyanga East and Kraaifontein.
“Kraaifontein detectives are investigating a case of murder and attempted murder. Upon the arrival of police members in Mathanbeka Street in Bloekombos Kraaifontein, yesterday, they found the body of a 29-year-old man who sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his body.
“The victim was declared deceased on the scene. Meanwhile, a 43-year-old man who also sustained gunshot wounds was taken to a nearby medical facility for medical treatment,” said Swartbooi.
Swartbooi said a 43-year-old man who was shot and killed in Zwelitsha Drive was approached by an unknown male, who then shot fled the scene.
“The suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction and is yet to be arrested. The victim was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel,” he said.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) spokesperson Gershon Geyer has condemned the recent killings.
“Santaco is dismayed and saddened by the shocking killing of the operators in Ceres. We condemn these brutal killings in the strongest possible terms. We urge the law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned in order to bring the perpetrators of these heinous acts to book. Our heartfelt condolences to the families of these operators,” said Geyer.
Transport and Public Works MEC Daylin Mitchell said passengers deserve safe and reliable transport and they were ramping up safety efforts.
Anyone with information on the incidents can anonymously contact Crime stop on 0860 010 111 or SMS Crime Line on 32211