Two fatal shootings of taxi bosses in a few days have sparked fear and outrage in the Eastern Cape taxi industry. The incidents took place in Gqeberha and East London.
No arrests have been made in both cases.
The motive behind these recent killings is not known at this stage. Both men, who belong to different associations, were killed in a hail of bullets while getting into their vehicles. Santaco in the province maintains that there are no tensions amongst taxi associations.
Provincial Santaco Deputy Chairperson, Gabs Mtshala says they are concerned.
“This is dampening the spirit of peace that we are having currently. We were united just last week when we were fighting against looting and the disruption of property now that is dampening that spirit hence we say we don’t understand.”
Provincial police spokesperson Thembinkosi Kinana says they’re following close leads.
” The Provincial Commissioner has assembled a team of capable detectives to investigate the circumstances that surround the incidents. At the moment we have not made any arrests but our investigation continues.”
Transport MEC Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe has called for calm in the industry.
“We request communities to let law enforcement officers do their own investigation and come up with a report. We must not be suspicious as much as we know that they often fight over routes.”
The Transport Department has committed to working closely with the industry to ensure there’s calm and peace.
