Lwandle police have launched an investigation after a fatal shooting involving a mini-bus taxi on Monday left a 44-year-old man dead at the corner of Hlati Drive and Isikolo Street.

Police spokesperson FC van Wyk confirmed that two others, including a woman, were wounded and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

“Reports indicate that officers responded to a shooting at the address and found a white Toyota Quantum with the victim seated behind the driver’s seat, suffering multiple gunshot wounds to the head and body. The circumstances surrounding the shooting are still under investigation.”

He added that the motive for the attack is part of the ongoing investigation.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile app to report anonymously.

Western Cape MEC of Mobility Isaac Sileku condemned the incident, saying the department will closely monitor the situation.

“While we await the official report from SAPS on whether this is related to the reopening of previously closed taxi routes, we will be monitoring the situation closely. Should it be confirmed that this shooting is linked to the contested routes, we will take decisive steps to safeguard the lives of commuters.”

Sileku closed several disputed routes for a month recently, amid a spate of taxi related murders. These routes were re-opened earlier this month, after talks between the Department and rival taxi organisations CATA and CODETA.

The Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) spokesperson Makhosandile Tumana says they are aware of the incident and will comment at a later stage.

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