The R300 was temporarily brought to a standstill on Thursday morning after a suspected taxi-related shooting, as authorities battled to contain a deadly conflict that has left at least ten people shot in recent days.
The latest incident followed a series of attacks involving taxi drivers in Khayelitsha, Philippi East and surrounding areas.
Police have increased their presence at transport hubs after another suspected taxi-related attack at the Palm taxi rank in Delft South on Wednesday, 28 October 2026.
The violence comes as the South African National Taxi Council and the Western Cape government are expected to meet to discuss the conflict involving rival taxi associations Cata and Codeta.
The exact cause of the dispute and the identities of those responsible for the shootings have not been confirmed.
No arrests had been made at the latest update.
R300 shooting forces temporary closure
The R300 was closed temporarily on Thursday morning after a shooting believed to be linked to the taxi conflict.
The closure caused disruption for motorists using the major route while police responded and worked to secure the scene.
City of Cape Town Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith confirmed that the shooting was believed to be taxi-related.
“There has been a shooting incident on the R300 that is believed to be taxi-related.”
Authorities have not released details about the victim or victims involved in Thursday’s incident, nor have they confirmed whether anyone was killed or wounded.
The shooting added to mounting concern over the safety of taxi drivers, passengers and other road users caught in the crossfire of disputes between transport associations.
Deadly attacks on Wednesday night
Provincial police commander Colonel André Traut confirmed that the South African Police Service was investigating a series of taxi-related shootings in Khayelitsha and Philippi East on Wednesday, 28 October.
Three taxi drivers were fatally wounded and four other people sustained gunshot wounds in the attacks.
Traut said:
“The South African Police Service is investigating a series of shooting incidents in Khayelitsha and Philippi East in which three taxi drivers were fatally wounded and four others sustained gunshot wounds on Wednesday, 28 October 2026.”
The shootings took place at different locations and times, creating a trail of crime scenes across the transport network.
In Site B, Khayelitsha, a 35-year-old taxi driver was shot while driving a minibus taxi in Japhta K Masemola Street at approximately 18:30.
He was declared dead at the scene by medical personnel.
In Philippi East, a 32-year-old taxi driver was shot and wounded on Govan Mbeki Road at approximately 18:20.
He was taken to a medical facility for treatment.
At approximately 23:00, another 35-year-old taxi driver sustained gunshot wounds to his face and body while driving a minibus taxi in Lower Crossroads.
He was also transported to a medical facility for treatment.
Browns Farm attacks leave two drivers dead
In Browns Farm, a 22-year-old taxi driver was shot and fatally wounded at his residence in Buhlungu Street at approximately 21:00.
Medical personnel declared him dead at the scene.
Later that night, at about 23:00, another taxi came under attack on Boston Road in Browns Farm.
A 34-year-old taxi driver was fatally wounded, while another adult man travelling in the minibus taxi was injured.
The driver was declared dead at the scene and the injured man was taken to a medical facility for treatment.
In a separate incident at the intersection of Govan Mbeki and Sheffield roads, a 35-year-old taxi driver suffered a gunshot wound to his back.
He was taken to hospital for treatment.
The incidents are being investigated as part of a wider series of attacks believed to be linked to taxi-related violence.
Police have not yet announced whether the victims belonged to the same association or whether the attacks were carried out by a single group.
Police and enforcement services on alert
The Provincial Taxi Unit is investigating the shootings, while other enforcement services have been placed on alert.
Traut said police were working to establish the circumstances of each attack and identify those responsible.
“The Provincial Taxi Unit is investigating the shooting incidents. No arrests have been made at this stage, and investigations are ongoing.
“Our enforcement services remain on high alert, ready to assist the South African Police Service where needed. We have also ramped up patrols around public transport interchanges.”
The increased patrols are intended to protect commuters and transport workers at locations where taxi operators gather and where disputes may trigger further violence.
Police have not disclosed the motive for the individual shootings or said whether any weapons have been recovered.
Cata and Codeta conflict under scrutiny
The violence has been linked to tensions between rival taxi associations Cata and Codeta, although the precise circumstances remain under investigation.
The planned meeting between Santaco and the Western Cape government is expected to focus on the conflict, the safety of taxi operators and measures to prevent further attacks.
Taxi disputes can involve routes, operating permits, ranks and control over passenger flows. However, authorities have not confirmed which specific issue triggered the current violence.
The investigation will have to determine whether the shootings were coordinated, retaliatory or connected to separate disputes.
The Palm taxi rank attack in Delft South on Wednesday further heightened concern and prompted additional police activity around transport hubs.
The repeated attacks have also raised fears among commuters who rely on minibus taxis to travel to work, school and medical facilities.
No arrests announced
At the latest update, no arrests had been made in connection with the string of shootings.
Detectives are expected to examine CCTV footage, witness statements, ballistic evidence and the movements of the victims before each attack.
Police may also investigate communications between taxi operators and any threats or disputes reported before the shootings.
The public is urged to avoid spreading unverified information about the victims or alleged attackers, particularly while investigations are still under way.
Anyone who witnessed a shooting or has information about the people responsible should report it directly to the police.
For now, the R300 shooting remains under investigation, while police patrols have been increased and authorities prepare to meet with taxi representatives in an effort to halt the violence.
The attacks have left three taxi drivers dead and four other people wounded in a single night, with the latest suspected taxi-related shooting showing that the conflict remains far from over.