Two men, including a local taxi owner, were shot and killed at the Zwelihle Taxi Rank at about 06:55 on Wednesday morning. A third man was wounded and rushed to hospital.
The latest incident brings taxi-violence-related killings for the past nine months to seven.
“Two unknown adult male victims were declared deceased on the crime scene while another adult male victim was rushed to the nearest hospital for medical care. Two counts of murder and an attempted murder case were opened for further investigation. The motive is believed to be taxi-related, and no arrest has been effected yet,” said a provincial police spokesperson, Thembakazi Mpendukana.
Hermanus Police Station Commander, Colonel Gustaf Tamboer, added that the taxi ranks in Zwelihle and Hermanus were closed as a safety precaution. “We are working with other authorities, including Overstrand Municipality’s law enforcement unit, to put in place safety plans, including increased visible policing patrols,” Colonel Tamboer said.
A voice note on social media stated that five or six gunmen ran through the area near the taxi rank. A car was seen following the armed men.
Sources said the taxi owner was a member of the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA). After living in Cape Town because of safety concerns, he recently returned to Hermanus.
His killing is a reminder of the taxi owner Jeffrey Alam’s death in February last year. He was sitting at the rank when unknown gunmen opened fire on him and the men he was sitting with.
Over the past few weeks, a number of men wearing reflector jackets were seen at taxi ranks in the area. A spokesperson for CATA stated the men were there to restore peace in the taxi industry and to put a stop to killings.
Four taxi-related deaths were recorded in Zwelihle between June and July. Two weeks ago, a local taxi driver, identified as Siyamanga Mdodana, was shot and killed while walking through an alley towards his home in Dubai.
Enjoyed this story? Get the whole paper first
The top stories and the whole edition, in your inbox the moment the new paper is out.
