Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has condemned the spate of shootings linked to taxi violence at several ranks since yesterday. The City is offering its full policing support to SAPS, with metro officers having responded together with police to several incidents including in Delft, Khayelitsha, Mfuleni and Gugulethu since yesterday.
‘We utterly condemn the violence and lawlessness linked to disputes within the taxi industry. The senseless loss of life from these shootings must be met with the full might of a policing response. SAPS can rest assured they have our metro’s full policing support, including safety camera footage and surveillance technology, as well as direct boots on the ground.
‘Our officers are maintaining a heightened presence in the vicinity of various public transport interchanges to protect commuters and monitor the situation. The City will act to uphold the rule of law and support police to bring these violent criminals to book. I call on taxi industry leaders to rise above the violence and ensure peace and calm prevails,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.
Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security, said the City’s enforcement agencies have responded to several shooting incidents in support of SAPS.
‘I also want to call on the public to help where possible. If you know who the perpetrators are, please report it so that they may be tracked down and stopped. We cannot tolerate a situation where thugs put innocent lives in harm’s way without consequence. The City has an anonymous tip-for-reward line, and I encourage anyone with information to please share it with us,’ said Alderman Smith.
The public can share information, 24-hours a day, on 0800 110077.
