SAPS and City Enhance Measures to Combat Taxi Violence

October 30, 2026 Ashton Meyer Voice Reporter|Published 6 minutes ago

The police in the Western Cape and the City of Cape Town’s enforcement agencies have heightened their vigilance after initiating a collaborative strategy to combat taxi-related violence in the Mother City.

Intensifying conflicts among taxi associations vying for control over various routes have resulted in lethal shootings throughout the city in the past two weeks.

The recent shooting at the Palm taxi rank in Delft South on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, when gunmen opened fire on commuters waiting for their rides, has prompted a more robust response from law enforcement.

In a statement issued after a joint assessment on Friday, SAPS and the City announced they will collaborate by sharing intelligence and resources to curb the violence.

“The assessment meeting provided the joint security management team the chance to view live footage from identified hotspots, transmitted via the City’s joint public safety operational centre,” the statement noted.

“The centre relays visuals from its extensive camera network to facilitate swift and appropriate operational responses.”

“As part of the commitment by the joint security management team, there was an agreement to utilize each other’s specialized operational resources for maximum impact in addressing criminal activities and their consequences.”

While public violence has disrupted the daily commute of thousands in the metropolis, authorities expressed concern over targeted attacks on taxi operators and owners.

This comes after the rapid arrest of three men suspected of fatally shooting a 34-year-old minibus taxi driver in Mfuleni on Thursday, 29 October 2026.

Police reported that while patrolling on Ngubelani Street, Mfuleni, they observed three males running towards them.

Upon spotting the police, the individuals attempted to flee but were promptly apprehended.

Searches revealed that the suspects were in possession of four 9mm handguns and a total of 147 rounds of ammunition.

Further investigations led to a crime scene where the body of a 34-year-old minibus taxi driver was discovered in the driver’s seat of his vehicle, suffering from gunshot wounds. A female victim injured in the incident has been hospitalized.

The statement continued: “Last night, three suspects were swiftly apprehended, and four firearms were confiscated by the Mfuleni SAPS crime prevention unit members, who were strategically deployed in response to the taxi-related shootings targeting taxi operators in residential neighborhoods.”

“The suspects will face court proceedings in due time.”

Additionally, the provincial Taxi Violence unit, acting on intelligence, arrested a 54-year-old taxi driver at the Site C taxi rank for possessing an unlicensed firearm with 15 rounds of ammunition.

He is set to appear in court on Monday facing charges related to illegal firearm possession and ammunition.

The statement concluded: “Currently, deployments are ongoing at various locations throughout the City of Cape Town.”

“Multiple vehicle impoundments have taken place since yesterday as part of the concerted efforts by the City’s traffic services to address the threat of taxi violence and its underlying causes.”

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