In brief
South Africa’s Parliament condemned five deaths and the disruption of Cape Town’s taxi service. Police were urged to restore calm before local elections, while the airport reported 60 flight delays. The incident highlighted growing violence in the Western Cape’s minibus taxi sector.
South Africa’s Parliament yesterday slammed the deadly wave of minibus taxi shootings that hit Cape Town. Five men were killed and four others wounded in three separate attacks, including one at the Delft taxi rank, according to local media reports.
"We send our deepest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives and wish a speedy recovery to all those affected," said Donald Selamolela, chair of the Portfolio Committee on Transport.
"This is a sad development in our country. The last thing we need is this bout of sporadic shootings that seem to be indiscriminate," Schlamolela added, urging law‑enforcement to maintain visibility until peace is restored. He stressed that the violence should not threaten the upcoming local elections.
The unrest also rattled Cape Town International Airport. Airports Company South Africa reported 60 flight delays by 13:00 on the following Friday, affecting 44 domestic and 11 international departures and five arrivals. The average delay was about 60 minutes, with no cancellations noted.
Victims’ families and transport unions called for the national taxi bodies to step in quickly. The violence is part of a broader wave of taxi‑related incidents across the Cape Flats region, including Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Epping and Bonteheuwel.
The Western Cape High Court has granted an interim interdict against two parties involved in the disturbances, indicating judicial intervention in the effort to curb further violence.
