Two suspects appeared in the Hermanus Magistrate's Court on Monday on murder and attempted-murder charges, relating to the fatal shooting of a taxi driver and a well-known taxi owner, Thami Mcinjana, at the Zwelihle Taxi Rank last month.
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed that the provincial Taxi Violence Unit’s tracing team arrested the suspects on Saturday.
“While deployments have been reinforced at identified hotspots for taxi-conflict shooting incidents, the provincial Taxi Violence Unit detectives are hard at work investigating all recorded cases,” Potelwa said.
The arrests follow a Western Cape High Court order last week restraining members of Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) and the Overstrand Taxi Association (OTA) from carrying firearms or dangerous weapons, or being accompanied by private security, at or within five kilometres of any taxi rank in the Overstrand.
The order also bans blocking roads, stopping vehicles or preventing legally licensed taxis from operating, adding or removing stickers from taxis without owners’ consent, and demanding or collecting money, levies, fees or penalties from operators or drivers.
The court order also prohibits CATA from establishing unauthorised structures in the Overstrand or forcing OTA to affiliate with it.
Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Isaac Sileku, said the order was an important step in protecting residents who depend on public transport every day.
“This court order sends a clear message that intimidation, violence and interference with lawful transport services will not be tolerated. Residents must be able to travel freely and safely,” said Sileku.
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