Two men were shot and injured in a suspected taxi-related shooting on the R300 near Samora Machel on Thursday morning, 29 October 2026, forcing the temporary closure of the busy route during peak-hour traffic.

The incident comes amid ongoing tensions in the taxi industry on the Cape Flats.

Also read: More bloodshed due to taxi violence: three killed on Wednesday night

The City of Cape Town initially confirmed receiving reports of a shooting, but limited information was available at the time.

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said the City had increased law enforcement visibility in affected areas as tensions in the public transport sector continued.

“Our enforcement services remain on high alert, ready to assist the South African Police Service (SAPS) where needed. We have also ramped up patrols around public transport interchanges. The City is aware of continued misinformation and fake news doing the rounds, of tensions in the public transport sector, including reports of a strike.”

Western Cape police spokesperson, FC van Wyk, has since confirmed that two men were wounded in the shooting on the R300 near Samora Machel, approaching Jakes Gerwel Drive.

According to van Wyk, two taxis travelling from Mfuleni to Wynberg were driving behind each other when they were forced to stop in peak-hour traffic.

“When they approached the traffic light and came to a standstill due to the morning traffic peak. Two unidentified males came from the side of Samora Machel and randomly started shooting at both taxis, injuring the driver and a passenger in the front taxi”

The driver and a passenger in the first taxi sustained gunshot wounds, while those travelling in the second taxi escaped unharmed. Both vehicles were damaged during the shooting.

“Both victims were transported to a medical facility for treatment. The motive is believed to be taxi violence-related. The Provincial Taxi Unit is investigating the shooting incident. No arrests have been made at this stage, and investigations are ongoing,” Van Wyk added.

The shooting caused major disruptions to morning traffic, with the R300 temporarily closed while authorities attended to the scene.

The roadway has since been reopened to motorists.

Meanwhile, Smile FM approached the City of Cape Town for clarity following rumours that taxi services could be suspended on Thursday afternoon amid ongoing tensions in the taxi industry.

Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, said authorities were closely monitoring the situation, with law enforcement officers deployed across the metro to ensure commuters could travel home safely.

“The situation is being closely monitored. Metro and Provincial traffic services, law enforcement, and SAPS will remain deployed at key points across the city to make sure commuters get home safely tonight. Both CATA and CODETA have committed to meeting with us again on Monday. It is crucial that all parties are at the table, so the City and Province are looking at whether the associations can be legally compelled to attend.”

Taxi association, CATA, has since dismissed as fake news a message circulating on social media claiming that all its taxis would stop operating from 4pm on Thursday.

The message alleges that the association had decided to suspend its services following Thursday morning’s shootings on the Cape Flats. It further claims that other public transport services would also be affected.

However, CATA chairperson Nkululeko Sityebi has confirmed that the message is false, urging commuters not to believe or spread the claims.