Six people have been killed in three separate taxi-related shootings in just three days.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said a driver and his assistant were shot dead in Lusaka in Nyanga on Monday as they arrived from the Eastern Cape.
“It is alleged that at 5am on Monday unknown suspects fired several shots at the taxi killing both occupants,” said Potelwa.
She said in another incident, also yesterday morning, taxi drivers came under attack just after 5am on the corner of Sheffield and New Eisleben Road in Nyanga. A 24-year-old taxi driver died on the scene while two others sustained serious injuries.
Then on Friday evening three taxi drivers aged 25, 27 and 33 were shot dead in Philippi East and two other men, aged 28 and 38, were wounded.
“Anyone with information on the incidents is urged to contact Lieutenant Colonel Tarentaal on 079 894 1379,” Potelwa added.
Six people have been killed in three separate taxi-related shootings in just three days. Picture: Phando Jikelo
Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association spokesperson Andile Seyami said: "We can only put an end to the shootings once we know what is causing them but for now we don’t know.”
Western Cape Transport MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela says he met with the taxi bosses on Monday: “It is not yet clear what is behind the recent killings. However, the issues of operating licences and route invasions have been identified as the main causes behind the taxi conflict.”
The MEC says that since January, there have been 40 taxi-related murders in the Western Cape.