-LUNGANI MNGUNI, HEART FM NEWS
Western Cape law enforcement has spent the morning briefing media on their plans to deal with the latest outbreak of taxi violence across Cape Town.
At least 10 people have been killed in shootings at various taxi ranks, including Delft South, Phillippi and Gugulethu.
Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Sizakhele Dyantyi led the briefing, joined by the City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Directorate.
The message from the Commissioner is clear: the situation between CATA and CODETA remains a priority, the situation is under control, but SAPS is not complacent.
On the ground, a joint operational plan is in place. Joint deployments of SAPS, Metro Police, Law Enforcement and Traffic Services with high visibility at taxi ranks, along contested routes including the N1, N2 and R300, and intelligence-driven operations to disarm illegal firearms and target those instigating violence between the two associations.
And with the local government elections just days away, IEC safety and election security formed a major part of the briefing. A dedicated deployment plan with the IEC is active to secure voting stations, protect voters and IEC staff, ensure safe movement along taxi routes, and prevent any disruption through road blockades, stay-aways or intimidation.
Commissioner Dyantyi confirming that detailed crime stats, including arrests and fatalities linked to the CATA and CODETA violence, will follow in due course.
For now, the assurance is that commuters will be protected, Cape Town will keep moving, and that voting next week will go ahead safely and without intimidation.