Cape Town - A case of road rage is suspected to be behind the murder of an Eastern Cape long distance taxi driver, who was shot and killed near Kuils River while transporting commuters on Tuesday.
The 32-year-old taxi driver was driving in Silversands when he was apparently involved in a car collision with a private car driver, and in the middle of an argument, the private car driver pulled out a gun and shot a taxi driver.
The murder comes as the taxi industry is negotiating a peaceful way forward after months of war over routes that claimed scores of lives.
Congress of Democratic Taxi Associations (Codeta) spokesperson Andile Khanyi said the negotiations are continuing.
“The taxi driver issue is in the police’s hands, and according to my understanding, it has nothing to do with the ongoing tension between the taxi associations.
“The taxi driver was involved in a car accident and there was an argument between the two then the one driving a private car took out a gun and shot the driver.
“The police have the scenes of the incident on CCTV cameras and that is the information we got regarding the incident,” said Khanyi.
Police spokesperson FC Van Wyk said the unknown suspect fled the scene and is yet to be arrested.
“Mfuleni police are investigating a murder case after a shooting incident on July 27 at about 6pm at Nooiesfontein Road, Camelot, where a 32-year-old man was shot and fatally wounded. Motive for this incident is unknown at this stage,” said Van Wyk.
Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) spokesperson Mandla Hermanus and could not be reached for comment.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa and South African Federation of Trade Union (Saftu) general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi have made some progress to bring peace in the taxi industry.
They have submitted a proposal raised in a “Peace Treaty” document that details the conflict and immediate short-term and long-term possible solutions.
Holomisa said taxi associations have confirmed that they will not operate until ministers respond to their requests over security.
“The conflict will not just end overnight. The one who shot the taxi driver, you might find out that (the suspect) had other objectives not related to the current taxi situation with the aim to make things worse.
“The taxi driver is from the Eastern Cape and is not involved in this and was just doing the work.
“We regret that there has been another shooting and another life lost but that means we have to act in speed and the ministers must call us again to make sure that they assure them with the request.
Transport MEC Daylin Mitchell said the arbitration process between Cata and Codeat is ongoing.
Anyone with information can anonymously contact Crime Stop at 086 0010 111 or SMS Crime Line at 32211.
Cape Times