Man arrested for taxi murders
POLICE have made a breakthrough in their investigation into taxi violence in Delft following two murders and an attempted murder.
The arrest of a 31-yearold man came hours after Police Minister Bheki Cele announced the deployment of 269 police officers in crime hot spots in the province to deal with taxi violence and gang violence.
Cele vowed to root out taxi violence across the province.
Yesterday’s arrest followed a shooting incident in Delft taxi rank between rival taxi associations in which two people were killed and two others injured.
The area has been on a knife edge, with thousands of taxi commuters stranded. The violence was linked to operating routes.
Police spokesperson Andre Traut said the arrest followed a tracing operation conducted by detectives and Public Order Police.
He said a firearm with rounds of ammunition was confiscated from the suspect, who would appear in court for two murders, attempted murder and the unlawful possession of a firearm, as well as ammunition charges.
Police were still searching for another suspect believed to be involved in the shooting.
Police visibility had also been beefed up at identified taxi ranks in the province.
The SA National Taxi Council welcomed the arrest of the suspect. The council’s chairperson, Vernon Billet, said police needed to revisit old cases of taxi drivers’ and owners’ deaths and make arrests.
“We are opposed to this violence, which is claiming the lives of innocent people and affecting commuters. We want the police to do more. Unsuspecting taxi drivers are killed and the perpetrators are still on the streets as if nothing has happened,” said Billet.
“Police need to go back to their old cases involving taxi murders and make more arrests.”
Billet said taxi drivers were operating in fear.
Provincial Community Policing Forum board spokesperson Lucinda Evans said of the 31-year-old who was arrested: “We trust that he will not get bail.”
She said the recently deployed “Operation Thunder” had come at a good time.
“Minister Cele promised some of the police officers would focus on dealing with taxi violence.
“We are grateful for the commitment he made and we trust in his leadership,” said Evans.
Western Cape Transport MEC Donald Grant held a meeting with senior police officials on Monday to discuss measures to defuse the tension.
A spate of shootings across parts of the City recently have left several people dead.
At least four taxi owners have been killed and the killings are believed to be linked to lucrative routes and feuds between taxi associations.