Eight-year-old injured in taxi violence
A distraught woman is comforted by police and residents at the scene of a shooting at an Mfuleni taxi rank.
Image: Henk Kruger / Independent Media
AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD child was injured as taxi violence erupted at the weekend.
The child was hit by a stray bullet as a Strand taxi driver was gunned down in Lwandle on Saturday night.
This follows a tragic shooting on Friday morning at a Mfuleni taxi rank where seven people, including a commuter, were shot resulting in the killing of four men.
Gunmen stormed a Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) office and opened fire on the victims. The motive behind the attack is believed to be related to the ongoing conflict within the taxi industry.
Strand Community Police Forum spokesperson Niklaas Thysen said: “It has been confirmed that a taxi violence shooting incident where a taxi owner was shot dead at Lwandle Street on (Saturday) night.
"The circumstances around the shooting incident where a taxi owner was shot dead are unknown at this stage and are currently being investigated by the Provincial SAPS Serious and Violent Crimes Unit.
"We are hoping that the parties involved in the Taxi industry together with all Law Enforcement agencies can find a peaceful solution as soon as possible.”
Police confirmed they were investigating after a taxi owner was killed on Saturday evening and an eight year old wounded in Strand.
The incident took place around 7pm in Vulindlela Street, Lwandle when the victim was gunned down in his VW Polo vehicle. The child sustained injuries during the shooting and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said that the motive for this attack is believed to be taxi related.
Swartbooi said: “Lwandle police responded to a complaint on Saturday. Upon arrival in Vulindlela Street at about 7pm they found a VW Polo in the road.
"The driver of the motor vehicle sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel. An 8-year-old child also sustained injuries.
"The suspect/s fled the scene and are yet to be arrested. Lwandle police registered cases of murder and attempted murder for further investigation.”
Police are appealing to anyone with information to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile application anonymously.
Cape Times