Cape Town – A wave of violence continues to plague the taxi industry in Cape Town, with a third taxi-related murder reported this week. The latest incident occurred in Seawinds on Wednesday afternoon, claiming the life of a 34-year-old taxi driver.
The shooting took place at approximately 2.40pm on the corner of St William Road and St Patrick Avenue in Seawinds. According to police reports, the driver was found inside his minibus taxi, riddled with gunshot wounds. Medical personnel declared him dead at the scene.
Sergeant Wesley Twigg, the police spokesperson, confirmed that a murder case has been registered and is currently under investigation. "The circumstances surrounding a shooting incident on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, at about 2.40pm, on the corner of St Patrick Avenue and St William Road, Seawinds, where a 34-year-old male was shot and fatally wounded are under investigation," Twigg stated.
He further added, "Muizenberg police responded to a complaint of a shooting and upon arrival on the scene they found the victim inside a minibus taxi with gunshot wounds to his body. The victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The motive for the attack is yet to be determined. The suspect/s fled the scene and are yet to be arrested. A murder case was registered for investigation."
The police are appealing to the public for any information that could assist in their investigation. Anyone with details about the shooting is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile application anonymously.
This latest incident follows closely on the heels of two other violent incidents involving the taxi industry in Cape Town. Just hours before the Seawinds shooting, another taxi driver was gunned down in the Southern Suburbs.
The victim of that earlier attack was identified as Yaseen Kippie, a 55-year-old taxi driver from Bonteheuwel. Kippie was shot and killed while operating in Lavender Hill on Tuesday. Tributes have been pouring in on social media for the beloved driver.
Reports indicate that Kippie was dropping off workers in the area when he was attacked. He was rushed to a medical facility but succumbed to his injuries and passed away.
Adding to the week's grim toll, a man believed to be a taxi guard was stabbed to death on Tuesday morning in Delft. The incident occurred in the parking area at Delft Mall at approximately 11.45am.
The man was fatally stabbed in the chest and died at the scene. Delft police have also registered a murder case for investigation into this incident.
The series of violent incidents has raised concerns about the safety and security of those working in the taxi industry, as well as the potential for further escalation of tensions. The motives behind these attacks remain unclear, and police investigations are ongoing.
When approached for comment, the chairpersons of both the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) stated that the driver killed in Seawinds was not affiliated with their respective organisations and that they were unaware of the incident. This lack of immediate recognition from the major taxi associations adds another layer of complexity to the situation, leaving the victim's affiliation and the potential motives for the attack shrouded in uncertainty.
The taxi industry in Cape Town has a long history of conflict and violence, often stemming from disputes over routes and territories. While the major associations have made efforts to promote peace and stability, tensions continue to simmer beneath the surface, occasionally erupting into violent incidents.
The recent spate of murders has prompted renewed calls for increased security measures and greater cooperation between the taxi industry, law enforcement, and the local government. Some have suggested increased police patrols in high-risk areas, while others have advocated for improved communication and information sharing between taxi operators and the authorities.
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