A heavy police presence persists at the Somerset West taxi rank amid a wave of taxi-related violence that has had a ripple effect across the Cape Town metro.

The latest flare-up of taxi-related conflict has turned deadly in recent days. In the latest deadly taxi-related killing, a man was found dead inside a minibus taxi on Monday, in Winnie Mandela Street, Langa.

“The circumstances surrounding a shooting incident on Monday, 09 June 2025, in Winnie Mandela Street, Langa where an adult male was shot and fatally wounded are under investigation. Police members attended to the crime scene where they found the victim inside a minibus taxi with gunshot wounds to his body. The victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The suspect/s fled the scene and are yet to be arrested. Langa detectives are investigating a murder case,” SAPS Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed.

Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku visited the bustling Public Transport Interchange (PTI) this afternoon in light of the current impasse between two rival minibus taxi associations that have been at loggerheads since last week about approved routes.

What was once a hive of activity has now turned into a ghost town, as no vehicles are at the rank.

“In terms of the information at my disposal, CODETA Mfuleni to Bellville has the right to transport people from Mfuleni. That’s where the service is and to Somerset West where they are currently working and as a result also taking them back to their homes. But unfortunately that right has not been practiced by CODETA for several reasons and for many, many years, and that particular service has been rendered by CATA Lwandle,” Sileku explained, in conversation with Newzroom Afrika.

A meeting between the two rival taxi associations, CATA and CODETA is set for Thursday. Authorities are hopeful that this will lead to a resumption in the much-needed transport service, as the current deadlock is taking a major toll on the local economy, as Sileku added.