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Two people killed in two incidents near airport as Western Cape taxi strike continues

Two people killed in two incidents near airport as Western Cape taxi strike continues
The N2 inbound and the N2 outbound were closed because of the taxi strike. (Photo: Supplied)
Velani Ludidi, Suné Payne and Samane Jnr Marks
By Velani Ludidi, Suné Payne and Samane Jnr Marks
7 Aug 2023
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On Day 5 of the Western Cape-wide taxi strike, two people were killed during morning traffic near Cape Town International Airport. Mass disruptions were reported, with thousands of children unable to get to school and stranded commuters worried about losing income from a lack of work.

Police have confirmed the death of two people in two separate incidents on Monday morning near Cape Town International Airport following altercations between motorists and protesters on the fifth day of the strike. 

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the province has confirmed the deployment of police to various parts of Cape Town, as taxi drivers continue their protest. Early in the morning, minibus taxis blocked Airport Approach, a key road leading to the airport.

One person was shot and three others injured when protesting taxi operators pelted stones at motorists on the road leading to the airport off the N2.  “The driver responded to the attack by firing several shots. As a result, a death and three injuries were recorded,” said SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Novella Potelwa.  No further details were available.

Daily Maverick has received unconfirmed reports that both the person who was killed as well as the three others injured are members of the taxi industry.

In the second incident, close to the N2,  a motorist travelling with passengers had his car pelted with stones. Shots were also fired at the motorist, according to Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi.

"Nyanga police responded to a complaint earlier this morning, Monday, 7 August 2023. Upon their arrival in Borcherds Quarry, close to the N2 highway, they found the body of a 28-year-old male who sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel. The unknown suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested."

Cases of murder and attempted murder were being investigated. The motive for the attacks is believed to be taxi related.

Four people have died since the strike started last Thursday, including a law enforcement officer who was killed in Nyanga on Friday night. 

Monday marked day five of the province-wide taxi strike over issues such as what associations claim is the unfair impoundment of their vehicles. Talks between the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) and the government failed on Sunday, which means the strike, which started last week, will continue this week. 

Read more in Daily Maverick: Day 4: Brace for another day of Western Cape taxi strike after Santaco-government talks collapse

While Santaco has denounced the chaos and violence, its operators were seen stopping private vehicles and chasing out the drivers on the N2 just before Nyanga. 




The strike started on Thursday, 3 August following a meeting in Khayelitsha between all taxi associations in the Western Cape. 

Read more in Daily Maverick: Chaos, arson and threats of legal action after Cape taxi drivers begin strike 

Read more in Daily Maverick: Taxi industry and City of Cape Town harden their stances amid strike violence and mayhem

By Friday morning commuters were finding other transport to work. However, several bus services had to be paused in several areas over bus burnings and commuter safety concerns. 

Criminal cases opened 


On Monday, more confirmed and unverified reports came in over road closures all over Cape Town. 

Mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith said: “The City can confirm that there have been numerous incidents of unrest related to the taxi strike again this morning… our staff are on the ground, working with SAPS to address the violence.” 

Cape taxi strike Day 5 The N2 inbound and the N2 outbound closed due to taxi strike. (Photo: Supplied)



Smith said the City was working to resolve numerous road closures to ensure safe passage for commuters. “Currently, Omuramba Road is closed between Computer and Racecourse roads due to protesting, and the N2 and R300 have also been affected by the unrest.” 

Smith said a list of recorded incidents and related damages were being compiled as well as criminal cases opened and arrests made. 

‘No work, no pay’ 


Masilo Bhova, a resident of Parow in the northern suburbs, told Daily Maverick they were left with no alternative but to walk to work in Tyger Valley. “I use a Golden Arrow and I have been here all morning, at least around 6.20 and till now (8.30),’ said Bhova. 

“This taxi incident has interrupted my day schedule. It affects me because I work a job with no work and no pay,” he said, adding: “I just want a transport that will be able to get me to Bellville, I can take a risk and walk. I fear for my position at work. This strike is now out of hand.

“Unfortunately, some of our schools are being forced to close early, either due to protest activity in the community or because of fake news causing parents to panic.” 

Update at 1.45pm 


The City of Cape Town has confirmed the following actions across the city: 

  • Protest action in Philippi, with between 150 and 300 protesters on-site and one vehicle alight;

  • Vehicle alight at Lansdowne and Stock roads;

  • Four vehicles alight at Mew Way and Japhta K Masemola Road;

  • Protest action at Govan Mbeki and Duinefontein roads (about 150 protesters on-site);

  • Shots fired at Metro Police Nyala on the N2 off-ramp to Borcherds Quarry;

  • Protest in Hout Bay, outside the local SAPS, with protesters burning tyres and stoning vehicles;

  • Law Enforcement staff under fire at Nyanga Terminus;

  • Law Enforcement staff attacked in Kraaifontein; and

  • Private vehicle set alight at Govan Mbeki Road and Emms Drive in Nyanga.


Protests reach Atlantis and Witsand 


Witsand taxi association spokesperson Asam Sbata confirmed that one of the two people killed during this morning’s blockade near Cape Town International Airport was the chairperson of Cata Witsand.

Witsand is a neighborhood near Atlantis.

“He was attending a meeting,” Sbata told Daily Maverick.

Both Atlantis and Witsand are reasonably calm, with police patrolling the areas.

According to Christy Prins of the Blaauwberg Taxi Association, which represents the broader Atlantis area, its members in conjunction with the police are looking for a fully loaded taxi that is roaming the area, stopping cars carrying more than two people and pulling them out.

They were also looking into allegations that a taxi driver, who was taking his daughter to school, was stopped and he was forced out of the vehicle, whipped with sjamboks and told to turn around.

The strike has also affected charters transporting workers to factories in Atlantis, Montague Gardens, Killarney, Bay of Eden restaurants, Duynefontein, Pathcare workers at Blaauwberg Hospital and workers and security staff at Pick n Pay in Table View.

One of the charter transport owners, Julia Adams, said: “More than 2,000 workers are affected. Initially, charter drivers wanted to continue driving, but after constant threatening messages and voice recordings, we decided to cancel transporting workers from home to work and back.

“My passengers are far more valuable to me than my van being on the road. Everyone’s thinking is not the same. Some drivers are putting workers at risk in order to get to work,” she said.

The strike is expected to last until 9 August, with normal taxi operations set to resume on the 10th. President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the Women’s Day address this week from Khayelitsha, where much of the taxi-related violence has occurred. DM

This is a developing story.

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