Western Cape government closes ten taxi routes to combat violence

It's D-Day for several taxi routes and ranks in Cape Town, as the Western Cape Government moves to temporarily shut them down following a wave of deadly shootings linked to taxi rivalries.

The closures, announced by the Western Cape Mobility  Department, take effect on Wednesday, September 17, and will last for 30 days.

Last week, four taxi operators affiliated to the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) were killed, including Mnikelo Mgope, the association’s first deputy president.

Mr Mgope was shot dead around 8pm while sitting in his vehicle at Nyanga’s bus terminus taxi rank. 

CATA spokesperson Nkululeko Sityebi, who confirmed that Mr Mgope was the first deputy chairman of the region and operated in Wynberg, said the organisation was unsure of the reason for the attack.

He said they welcome the decision to shut down all routes affected and hope that they will find an amicable resolution.

Western Cape police have confirmed two fatal shootings on the night of Wednesday, September 10, in what is believed to be taxi-related incidents.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said that in the first incident at 8.10 pm, Mnikele Mgope was shot and killed at the Nyanga taxi rank on Sithandatu Avenue.

Police on patrol heard gunshots and responded to the scene, where they found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds. He was declared dead on arrival. The suspects fled, and no arrests have been made, he said.

Shortly after, at 8.20pm, police responded to a second shooting on Amsterdam Road, also in Nyanga. A 42-year-old man was declared dead at the scene, while another victim was taken to the hospital for treatment. Police have opened murder and attempted murder dockets.

According to Sergeant Twigg, both shootings are believed to be linked to ongoing tensions in the taxi industry. No suspects have been arrested.

The routes affected by the closure are: M18 (Mfuleni – Somerset West), 43 (Lwandle – Khayelitsha via Somerset West), 611 (Khayelitsha – Somerset West), X19 (Nomzamo – Mfuleni), AA20 (Khayelitsha – Somerset West via Vergelegen), R96 (Khayelitsha – Somerset West via Somerset Mall), AA21 (Khayelitsha – Sitari Village Mall, drop-off only), R97 (Khayelitsha – Somerset West, drop-off only), and YEX63 and YEX64 (Mfuleni – Somerset West, drop-off only). Specified lanes at taxi ranks in Khayelitsha, Makhaza, Mfuleni, Somerset West, Nomzamo, and Lwandle will also be closed.

MEC for Mobility Isaac Sileko said the closures were intended to stop the escalating violence, which has claimed multiple lives in recent weeks. “This has been an exceptionally difficult decision,” he said. “We are acutely aware that these routes serve thousands of residents who depend on them daily. However, given the tragic and unnecessary loss of life, and the failure of previous interventions to restore calm, these extraordinary measures are necessary to stabilise the situation, protect commuters, and prevent further violence.”

Mr Sileko said that between Wednesday, August 23, and Friday, August 26, six people were killed in clashes, followed by the murder of an off-duty police officer and taxi operator on Thursday, September 4. “Families have been torn apart, livelihoods disrupted, and the safety of ordinary commuters gravely undermined,” he said.

To minimise the impact, Golden Arrow Bus Services and Metrorail trains will provide additional capacity to help residents commute to work and allow pupils to travel to school, especially with the school exam period approaching, he said. 

Mr Sileko confirmed that law enforcement authorities, including SAPS, the City of Cape Town’s law enforcement, and Provincial Traffic, will work together to enforce the closures. Visible policing will be deployed along all affected routes and ranks to protect commuters and prevent illegal operations.

He called on both CATA and Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) to use the 30-day shutdown as an opportunity to seek a peaceful resolution.

“We call on the affected taxi associations to put the safety and dignity of commuters above all else. Violence will never deliver the results you seek. Only through negotiations and agreement can this industry find lasting stability,” he said. Sileko stressed that while the government remains open to exploring alternative solutions, the measures taking effect on September 17 are necessary to protect lives and restore order.

In a media statement, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO)  Western Cape acknowledges the Western Cape Government’s decision to invoke Section 91 of the National Land Transport Act, allowing for the temporary closure of selected taxi routes from 17 September 2025 for 30 days due to ongoing violence in the sector.

While expressing concern over the impact on livelihoods and commuters, SANTACO supports the move as a necessary step to protect lives. The council remains committed to dialogue, peace, and restoring stability in the industry.