Western Cape police have assured that the escalating taxi and gang violence in Cape Town will not derail their security preparations for the upcoming local government elections. The violence, linked to a route dispute between rival taxi associations, has claimed about a dozen lives and disrupted public transport. Authorities are moving to contain the deadly bloodshed, with police and City of Cape Town officials meeting urgently to strengthen their response to the shootings.
The taxi violence is centered on a route dispute between the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) over the Delft, Langa and Epping corridor. Provincial Police Commissioner Sizakhele Dyantyi said police have sufficient personnel to secure the elections while maintaining day-to-day operations and responding to emerging threats. The police have a dedicated plan for the local government elections, and Dyantyi assured that they will not be distracted by the emerging threats.
Police and City of Cape Town officials are working together to address the taxi violence, with Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku and the City of Cape Town's Urban Mobility MMC, Rob Quintas, meeting with the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) and CODETA to discuss the escalating violence. CATA did not attend the meeting, citing prior commitments, but another meeting is planned for Monday. Sileku said the provincial government is preparing an urgent court application to clarify operating rights and plans an inquiry into alleged violations by identified taxi associations.
The City of Cape Town and provincial government are taking a firm stance against the taxi violence, with Sileku stating that no dispute over routes or operating rights is worth a human life. The authorities are strengthening law enforcement and pursuing legal action to restore stability. The violence has fueled fears among commuters, with public transport disrupted and several lives lost.
The Western Cape SAPS management and City of Cape Town Safety and Security Directorate officials have been briefing the media on the ongoing taxi violence in Cape Town. The police have identified 331 high-risk voting stations ahead of the 2026 municipal polls, and they are taking measures to ensure that these areas are secure during the elections.
The local government elections are scheduled to take place next week, and the authorities are working to ensure that they are held in a safe and secure environment. Despite the challenges posed by the taxi violence, the police are confident that they can secure the elections and maintain order. The provincial government is also working to address the underlying issues that have led to the violence.
The taxi violence has had a significant impact on the city, with commuters facing snaking queues at Cape Town International Airport and operations at the airport disrupted. The authorities are working to restore stability and ensure that the city returns to normal. The police are urging calm and appealing to the public to cooperate with them in their efforts to contain the violence.
Key points
- Western Cape police have a dedicated plan to secure the local government elections amid escalating taxi violence in Cape Town.
- The authorities are working to address the underlying issues that have led to the taxi violence, including a dispute over operating rights.
- The police have identified 331 high-risk voting stations ahead of the 2026 municipal polls and are taking measures to ensure that they are secure.
