Police Minister Bheki Cele has announced that five people have been killed since the start of the taxi strike last Thursday, which includes a British national.

Speaking in Cape Town earlier he gave details about each of the murders:

• Thursday, at the Ntlangano Crescent, Nyanga. 40 year old male was shot and killed. Police investigations have revealed that this is a British National
• Friday, 20:15, Miller Road in Nyanga a LEAP Officer was shot and killed while on duty.
• Saturday a yet to be identified male was killed in Mfuleni.
• Monday, on Airport Approach Road, another yet to be identified male was shot killed.
• Monday, another yet to be identified male was shot and killed in Borcherds Quarry Road, Nyanga.

Cele says police have arrested 120 suspects thus far for various offences including malicious damage to property, public violence and looting.

An integrated operation involving the SAPS, City of Cape Town’s Traffic Services, Metro Police embarked on an operation on Monday to clear Airport Approach Road in order to allow the free flow of traffic to Cape Town International Airport.

That operation resulted in the impoundment of 53 minibus taxis.

Meanwhile the investigations into the five murders, attempted murders, public violence, arson, armed robberies, carjacking and numerous cases of malicious damage to property continue.

Cele says officers remain on high alert and will respond to any and all eventualities.

We are making a clarion call to all parties involved to move with speed in ensuring the impasse is resolved.

We are also calling on the Taxi industry to keep within the law and that when there is conflict all negotiations avenues are exhausted for the sake of citizens.

Law abiding citizens are urged to, within the parameters of law assist in ensuring that all acts of criminality are reported to the police.

The police Minister also clarified why he attended a meeting with taxi industry leaders just before the sudden taxi strike was announced.

He says it is within his mandate to intervene and avert any planned course of action that may adversely affect citizens.

But he denies that he at any point, as National Minister of Police, agitated for a taxi strike.

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