Western Cape Taxi Boss Shot Dead, CATA Official Killed Shortly After 30-Day Route Ban Is Lifted
- A Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) official was shot dead on Monday, 20 October 2025, while travelling on the R300 southbound
- The province has experienced taxi violence between CATA and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA)
- The Western Cape government initially put a ban on certain routes in place in a bid to stop the violence between the two associations
Source: Twitter
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 – An official belonging to the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) has been shot dead, shortly after a ban was lifted on taxi routes in the province.
A 30-day ban was put in place amid ongoing violence between CATA and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA). The violence led to numerous officials being killed in a short space of time in several shootings around the City of Cape Town.
Despite talks between the two organisations to find a resolution and end the violence, none could be reached, leading to the Western Cape government taking action against both associations.
Taxi boss and bodyguards shot
According to police in the Western Cape, the taxi boss and two of his bodyguards came under fire on the R300 southbound near the Somerset West bend on Monday, 20 October 2025.
The CATA official was declared dead at the scene, while his bodyguards were rushed to the hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds. The motive for the shooting has not yet been revealed, and CODETA has denied any involvement in the shooting. Investigations into the murder continue.
Nkululeko Sityebi, spokesperson for CATA, said they were devastated that one of their longest-serving members was murdered, adding that they observed that many of their executive members were being gunned down in recent months.
Source: Twitter
What you need to know about the taxi violence in the province:
- On 26 August 2025, two people were shot dead at Macassar Taxi Rank in Cape Town, a day after three others were killed at other ranks.
- The Western Cape Education Department expressed concern that the spate of shootings would impact learner safety in the province.
- The Western Cape Government secured a court interdict to try and end the taxi violence between the two rival associations.
- A CATA official was shot dead in September in Lwandle, near Strand, as tensions heightened between the associations.
- The government closed 10 Western Cape taxi routes after a Nyanga taxi owner was shot dead in his vehicle on 16 September 2025.
Alternative routes planned for Cape Town commuters
Briefly News reported that the Western Cape government also announced that plans were being made for alternative routes to be created.
Mobility Member of the Executive Committee, Isaac Sileku, announced the decision after the closure of ten routes.
Some routes were closed for 30 days from Wednesday, 17 September 2025, after escalating taxi violence between the associations.
Source: Briefly News
