TAXI-RANK DOUBLE MURDER – Bosses condemn Maitland shooting hours after Delft killings

NewsSportLifestyleEntertainmentOpinionNewsTAXI-RANK DOUBLE MURDER – Bosses condemn Maitland shooting hours after Delft killingsChris Gilili|Published 1 hour agoCopy to ClipboardAsk AISHUTDOWN: The Palm taxi rank in Delft is empty this morning, after the shooting of three taxi drivers. Hundreds of commuters have been left stranded or having to find alternative means to get to work

TWO men were shot dead in another taxi-related shooting, with the incident coming hours after a deadly incident at the Palm taxi rank in Delft.

​The pair were gunned down in Maitland on Thursday, 22 October 2026, just after noon, while a third person was wounded and rushed to hospital.

​Police said: “Two counts of murder and an attempted murder case were opened. The motive is believed to be taxi-violence related. No arrest has been made yet and investigations continue.”

​The incident was the second shooting incident on Thursday. During the early hours of the day, two other people were also shot and killed at the Palm Taxi rank in Delft.

​Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick van Wyk said crime scene experts were at the Palm taxi rank investigating the shooting.

​Van Wyk wysed: “Two males were shot and fatally wounded and another was injured. The injured victim was taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment. Delft police registered two counts of murder and an attempted murder for investigation.”

​The police said the motive was also believed to be related to taxi violence.

​Nceba Enge, chairperson of CODETA, said he could not comment on the matter at the moment.

​CATA chairperson Nkululeko Sityebi said they also don’t have a statement on what the recent shootings are about.

​Sityebi told IOL Media: “We don’t want to assume. In the past we have contradicted ourselves by saying things are this way only to discover later, it’s not the case. So the association cannot comment right now.”

VIOLENCE: Police are investigating two taxi-related murders in Maitland on Thursday

The umbrella taxi association, SANTACO, condemned the ongoing violence. Thursday’s incidents follow a double murder last Friday, 16 October, when two taxi owners were gunned down in an ambush on Fisher Avenue in Epping.

​SANTACO spokesperson Makhosandile Tumana said: “The Council is particularly disturbed by the incidents reported in Delft and Maitland on Thursday, 22 October 2026, which reportedly claimed four lives and left two people injured.

​Tumana said these incidents are deeply concerning and highlight the urgent need to strengthen safety and security measures to protect commuters, taxi operators, residents and the broader communities affected by violence.

​He wysed: “Violence has no place in the minibus taxi industry or in the communities we serve. No commuter, operator or member of the public should have to fear for their safety while travelling, working or going about their daily activities.”

​He said the council remains committed to working with law enforcement authorities, government and all relevant stakeholders to strengthen safety and address incidents of violence.

​Tumana added: “SANTACO Western Cape calls on law enforcement authorities to prioritise thorough investigations into these incidents and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

​“The Council further urges all industry stakeholders to exercise restraint, reject violence and support lawful processes aimed at resolving disputes and maintaining stability within the industry.”