Media Release by Daylin Mitchell, Western Cape Minister of Transport and Public Works
Today’s taxi related shooting in Ceres brings the total number of taxi related murders in the Western Cape to 45 since the start of the calendar year, with attempted murders and injuries at 19 over the same period.
Five taxi operators who are thought to be affiliated to the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) were shot and killed at the Vredebes Taxi Rank near Nduli.
No suspects have been identified and the matter is under investigation by the Saps Provincial Detective Unit.
I strongly condemn these killings and the safety of citizens who use public transport especially mini-bus taxis to commute to and from work is my prime consideration.
I will therefore take whatever steps available to me within my mandate to ensure that public transport commuters are safe.
This will include both the Western Cape’s Department of Transport and Public Works, as well as the Department of Community Safety, under the leadership of Minister Albert Fritz, assisting SAPS to get to the bottom of these killings.
I will also be approaching Minister Fritz about the possibility of putting up a reward for information to assist the SAPS in their investigation.
The Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works remains determined to address the root causes of this ongoing violence and we will continue to work closely with law enforcement to bring the criminals behind these killings to book.
Passengers in the Western Cape deserve nothing less than safe and reliable transport, and I will do whatever possible within my mandate to ensure that this takes place.
Media enquiries
Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka
Spokesperson for Minister Daylin Mitchell
Cell: 082 953 0026