Western Cape Taxi Conflict Escalates, Former Association Secretary Shot Multiple Times in His Car
- A member of the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) was shot dead in Lwandle, near Strand
- CATA is currently embroiled in a feud with the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA)
- The Western Cape government has warned the rival associations to resolve their differences or face the consequences
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
WESTERN CAPE – Fears that violence between rival taxi associations in the Cape could escalate have been renewed following the murder of one man in Lwandle.
The man, a member of the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA), was shot dead in Lwandle, near Strand, on 4 September 2025. The man was shot multiple times while in his car.
Member’s death described as a big loss
Speaking about the murder, CATA spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi said that he was a well-respected member of the association.
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"The member who has passed on is a legitimate member of CATA, a former secretary of CATA Lwandle," he said.
He described the death as a big loss for the association.
The death comes in the midst of a violent feud between rival associations, CATA, and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA).
Why are the two organisations fighting?
CATA and CODETA are currently embroiled in a bitter feud over the route from Khayelitsha and Mfuleni to Somerset West.
The rivalry has already resulted in five people being killed in three separate shootings over the span of two days.
On Monday, 25 August 2025, a taxi driver was killed, and two others were injured during a shooting in Khayelitsha. Not long after, unknown men opened fire at a taxi rank on Ngqwangi Drive, Philippi East.
Six adults, aged 35 to 43, were shot during the incident. One person died on the scene, while a second later passed away at the hospital. On Tuesday, 26 August 2025, a shooting at the Macassar Taxi Rank left two drivers dead.
The escalating violence led the Western Cape government to obtain a High Court interdict to end the taxi-related violence. The interdict will remain in effect until 9 October 2025. The court will then consider making it permanent.
Source: Getty Images
Have tensions between the associations simmered down?
Despite ongoing peace talks between CATA and CODETA, rival taxi associations failed to reach a consensus. On Tuesday, 2 September 2025, CODETA spokesperson Makhosandile Tumana called on the Western Cape Mobility Department to find a solution to the conflict. He explained that talks broke down after the associations could not come to an agreement about the route.
"This is our appeal to the government of the province. Let us try to work together to solve this matter," he said.
On Monday, 1 September 2025, Western Cape Member of the Executive Committee (MEC) for Mobility, Isaac Sileku, warned that he would impose harsher sanctions if the associations did not urgently resolve their differences.
While the murder has not yet been confirmed to be related to the ongoing violence, it could derail further chances of peace between the associations.
Shootings spark concerns about learner safety
Briefly News reported that the Western Cape Education Department was concerned by the recent spate of shootings in the province.
The department noted that there were concerns about learner safety, as tensions led to taxi violence in recent days.
South Africans called on the government and President Cyril Ramaphosa to do more about the shooting incidents.
Eswatini police shoot and kill suspects who allegedly murdered South African police officer
Meanwhile, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Eswatini police worked together in an operation in which Eswatini police shot and killed two suspects who allegedly killed a police officer on 8 August 2025.
According to SAPS, three suspects escaped from Mpumalanga and headed into Eswatini in the Shiselweni Region. The suspects were part of a group of seven robbers who allegedly shot and killed Sergeant Lawrence Mtshweni during an armed robbery at a Schoemansdal shop in Mpumalanga. One suspect was arrested on the following day. However, the other suspects escaped.
The Royal Eswatini Police traced two of the suspects to the Shiselweni Region. A shootout between the suspects and the police ensued, and two of them were gunned down after they opened fire on the police.
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Source: Briefly News
