Taxi Violence In Cape Town: 8-Year-Old Boy Injured And Multiple Killed In Weekend Shootings

An 8-year-old boy was wounded by a stray bullet during a fatal taxi shooting in Lwandle, Cape Town, on Saturday night. The child was caught in the gunfire after a Strand taxi owner was gunned down in Vulindlela Street around 7pm.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said Lwandle police responded to the scene and found a VW Polo riddled with bullets.

“The driver of the motor vehicle sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel,” he said.

“An 8-year-old child also sustained injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.”

Police have since launched investigations into both murder and attempted murder, with the suspects still at large.

Mfuleni Taxi Rank Mass Shooting Leaves Four Dead

Saturday’s tragedy came just a day after gunmen opened fire at the Mfuleni taxi rank on Friday morning, killing four people and injuring three others, including a commuter. The attack occurred at the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) office.

According to SAPS’ Major-General Bongani Maqashalala, the shooting is believed to be tied to the ongoing turf war between rival taxi associations Codeta and Cata (Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association).

The police have offered a R100,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators involved in the Mfuleni massacre.

Community Demands End to Taxi Bloodshed

As violence flares across the Cape metropole, community leaders and law enforcement are calling for calm. Niklaas Thysen, spokesperson for the Strand Community Police Forum, confirmed Saturday’s deadly shooting in Lwandle:

“It has been confirmed that a taxi violence shooting incident where a taxi owner was shot dead at Lwandle Street on [Saturday] night,” said Thysen.

“We are hoping that the parties involved in the taxi industry, together with all Law Enforcement agencies, can find a peaceful solution as soon as possible.”

The Provincial SAPS Serious and Violent Crimes Unit is investigating both incidents, as authorities appeal to the public to come forward with any information.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile app anonymously.

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