CATA chairperson shot at Nyanga taxi rank days after peace deal

CATA chairperson was shot and wounded at the Nyanga taxi rank, days after CATA and CODETA committed to a week of calm following taxi-related violence.

The chairperson of Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) was shot and wounded at the Nyanga Terminus taxi rank on Thursday morning, just three days after the association and its rival, the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA), agreed to a period of calm following weeks of deadly taxi violence.

The shooting occurred at about 9am when the 44-year-old taxi association leader was attacked at the busy public transport interchange.

CATA spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi confirmed the shooting, saying the chairperson survived and had been rushed to a nearby hospital.

Police spokesperson Frederick van Wyk confirmed that the victim sustained a gunshot wound to the right side of his upper body and was transported to hospital in a private vehicle.

Nyanga police have opened an attempted murder case.

Van Wyk said the motive was believed to be taxi-related, although investigations were continuing.

No arrests have been made, and the case will be transferred to the Provincial Detectives Taxi Violence Unit.

The attack comes just days after CATA and CODETA agreed to a seven-day period of calm following weeks of deadly shootings linked to disputed taxi routes between Delft, Langa and Epping.

The agreement, reached on Monday, followed urgent discussions involving both associations, the Western Cape Government, the City of Cape Town and the SANTACO.

Both organisations committed to ending the violence and participating in an independently facilitated mediation process.

SANTACO Western Cape spokesperson Makhosandile Tumana previously welcomed the agreement, expressing hope that both associations would honour their commitments.

“The two parties (CATA and CODETA) committed themselves to keep peace and harmony in the metro so hopefully they will keep their promise,” Tumana said.

He previously estimated that approximately 18 people had lost their lives during the violence, although the figure has not been independently verified.

SANTACO also warned that reaching an agreement would mean little without action.

"Commitments alone are not enough. We call on all parties to honour their word and ensure that no more lives are lost over disputes that can be resolved through dialogue."

In another shooting on Thursday morning, a 32-year-old man was killed and a woman wounded at the corner of Broad Road and Brisbane Road in Wynberg.

Van Wyk said the shooting occurred at approximately 5:20am, with the woman transported to hospital for treatment.

Wynberg police registered murder and attempted murder cases.

However, SAPS has not confirmed whether the Wynberg shooting was linked to the ongoing taxi violence, and the circumstances remain under investigation.

The shootings follow a major policing operation launched last week after gunmen targeted taxi operators in Delft, Mfuleni and along the R300.

Three suspects were arrested and four firearms seized following a fatal shooting involving a taxi driver in Mfuleni, while a fourth suspect was arrested at the Site C taxi rank in possession of an allegedly unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku previously warned that both associations must honour their undertaking to stop the violence.

"Both associations must put down their guns and work towards a peaceful solution. Residents must be able to use public transport without fearing for their lives."

Further discussions between the taxi associations and government are scheduled for Tuesday.