Another taxi killing as Golden Arrow warns of "brewing taxi war"

Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) has raised alarm over what it calls a brewing “taxi war” in Cape Town, linking it to illegal operating licences, overtrading and competition in the commuter transport sector.

This warning comes as another taxi-related murder occurred in Cape Town. Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that a 61-year-old man, believed to be taxi owner, was gunned down at the Nyanga Taxi Rank on Wednesday evening. The suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.

“According to reports police members were busy with patrols when they heard gunshots going off. The members drove in the direction of the taxi rank, where they found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds to his body. The victim was declared deceased on the scene,” said Twigg.

Last week, a police officer with alleged links to the taxi industry was also gunned down.

Wednesday’s incident in Nyanga happened hours after GABS CEO Francois Meyer told the Western Cape Provincial Parliament’s Standing Committee on Mobility that the violence is in part, being fuelled by fraudulent practices in the licensing system.

“The Western Cape Taxi Peace Summit uncovered a R7-billion taxi operating licence fraud… That means there are a lot of illegal operators on the road, and this is leading to huge overtrading in terms of taxi routes. And this obviously has an effect,” said Meyer.

Considering the multiple killings related to the industry recently, Meyer said GABS could not remain silent, as this has had an impact on its passengers because “passengers are shot at”.

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According to Meyer, the business model of taxi associations is at the root of the conflict.

“The taxi business is not about carrying passengers… the root of the problem in this business model is that the taxi associations are selling the operating licences,” he said, referring to alleged fees which range from R30,000 to R120,000 per permit – apparently depending on how busy routes are. He warned that this system generates hundreds of millions for a select few in executive positions, creating deadly rivalries.

He believes that the income derived from selling licences encourages the recruitment of more members.

“They must prove demand. Now, I’m asking you, the fact that they must prove demand, they must create demand.”

Meyer claims there is a long-standing modus operandi of taxi associations regarding the issuance of additional operating licences, and calls on the national and provincial government to take note of this.

“If you don’t change this business model, the taxi violence will continue forever, and it will just get worse,” noted Meyer.

Meyer further advised that Metrorail’s free or very low-fare services have also worsened the situation.

“From our point of view, they’re going to be blamed for the next taxi war.”