Kasi becomes battleground between taxi owners and gangs as residents of Vrygrond in Muizenberg fear sending their kids to the shops and using taxis to school.
A resident said shootings between the taxi industry and gangs is over the control of extortion rackets ekasi.
According to a community leader, who didn’t want to be named for his safety, the fight has to do with protection fee.
“You see, the taxi owner who was shot in court was allegedly part of the guys who were collecting money. A gang was collecting in this area, but these guys from the taxi industry have been trying to remove the gang from this area, but this has caused so much chaos. Lots of innocent people are killed in this area,” said the community leader.
Taxi operations were suspended in December 2024 after a 16-year-old was allegedly shot in a taxi by gangs when they attacked taxis.
A gang member was allegedly shot and killed by taxi drivers on 24 November 2024, which was followed by the killing of a taxi driver on 1 December 2024.
A resident said she fears sending her kids to the spaza shop.
“This place used to be calm, and we could walk freely without fear, but that is not the case anymore. I do not even feel it’s safe for my kids to walk to school because there have been gunshots all over lately,” she said.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie said police, who are deployed in the area, arrested a gunman at a taxi rank on Tuesdaday, 8 April.
“Members of Operation Shanela deployed in Vrygrond, Capricorn, to curb ongoing violence performed crime combatting patrols at the taxi rank on Tuesday when they observed a suspicious man who tried to avoid members who approached him.
“Members apprehended the suspect and found him in possession of a 9mm Norinco pistol with ammunition. The suspect could not produce a valid licence or competency certificate and was placed under arrest,” said Pojie.
The Vrygrond Taxi Association said they are worried about ongoing violence as it affects innocent people.
“The most painful part in this situation is that ordinary citizens are shot, making it difficult to pinpoint the cause of this issue.”
“We condemn the attack on women and children under any circumstances, especially as they have no knowledge of what is going on. We want to pass our condolences to all the families who lost their loved ones in this violent period,” said the association in a statement.
