[Ho hum… another Taxi war… Blacks are killing each other over taxi routes… They can’t live in peace with each other and resolve their own internal problems peacefully. Jan]

Cape Town – The Peninsula’s ongoing taxi war has claimed the lives of another two taxi owners who were shot dead during a drive-by shooting on Tuesday.

Three other people were wounded.

In a bid to bring an end to the violence, members of the serious violent crimes unit have been formed into a task team.

According to Makaya Mani, spokesperson for Western Cape minister of community security Leonard Ramatlakane, the national intelligence agency (NIA) also has been asked to help.

The Western Cape minister of transport and public works, Mcebisi Skwatsha, held an emergency meeting with members of the Cata and Codeta taxi associations on Tuesday in a bid to resolve the crisis.

The taxi owners, who were shot dead early on Tuesday morning at a taxi rank in Kraaifontein, were both members of the Cata taxi association.

Zamuxala Palaza, 42, and Pumelelo Sandaza, 38, were hit by bullets fired from two vehicles.

Rivalry about new taxi routes

They were among a group of people sitting at the Bloekombos taxi rank.

Superintendent Billy Jones of the police said the latest incident could possibly stem from rivalry about taxi routes to the Cape Gate Centre in Brackenfell.

According to him, Palaza, who was shot in the head, died at the taxi rank. Sandaza died later in hospital. He was hit in the legs and chest.

“Another three men were injured. They are in a stable condition in hospital. No one has been arrested yet in connection with the shooting,” said Jones.

Lungisile Dyakopu, 28, also a Cata member, was shot on Monday in Lentegeur, Mitchell’s Plain. His death has apparently also been linked to rivalry concerning the Cape Gate Centre route.

Another 13 people have been injured in taxi-related violence recently.

Five held for questioning

Five men, aged between 22 and 26, have been questioned in connection with Dyakopu’s death.

However, the latest shooting comes after a peace agreement between the two associations was drawn up by Skwatsha two weeks ago.

According to Skwatsha, an agreement was reached that both taxi associations could operate along the Cape Gate Centre route.

Meanwhile, another task team was established by the department of transport last week to monitor the situation along the route.

Xolile Justice Ngubo of the Cata association, said: “It is completely unacceptable that our people are mowed down like this.”

Edited by Iaine Harper

Source: News24.Com
URL: http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/New…/p>