The Nyanga Community Policing Forum has reacted with shock and outrage following a shooting at the area’s public transport interchange. The shootout claimed the life of one security guard and left seven others wounded.

The incident – which is reportedly linked to a brewing taxi war – happened on Tuesday morning. 19 Security guards have since been taken in for questioning, with no arrests at this stage. Western Cape Police Detectives combed the crime scene, and seized 13 rifles and seven hand guns.

Nyanga CPF secretary Dumisani Qwebe said he has requested additional boots on the ground to ensure commuters are safe, and that children heading back to school tomorrow will not be harmed.

“Our fear is that the schools will officially be opened and there are three schools situated nearby the terminus. Those learners can be affected. We have requested more deployment from SAPS. We (the CPF) will also be availing ourselves to be there,” Qwebe explained.

Western Cape Provincial Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile visited the crime scene shortly after the shooting transpired.

“There was a shootout at the taxi rank between two warring parties within the same taxi organisation. Because of the fact that we had our teams here in the area with intelligence, we prevented what could have been worse, in terms of shooting. We have taken 20 firearms for now”.

Patekile confirmed confirmed that policing has been bolstered in the crime-ridden area.

“We deployed more police members for normal policing and to ensure that commuters are not affected,” Patekile said.