The City of Cape Town’s MMC for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, has called for increased support from local police to ensure that those responsible for a destructive arson attack on 13 taxis at the Nyanga Taxi Rank are held accountable. This follows a shocking incident on Sunday evening when a fire destroyed several vehicles, including three minibus taxis, and severely damaged 13 others.
According to police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa, emergency services were quickly dispatched to the scene after flames were spotted coming from the vehicles. The fire was eventually brought under control by the City’s Fire and Rescue Service, who arrived at the rank around 10:30 PM and managed to extinguish the flames by 11:40 PM. Potelwa confirmed that a case of arson is being investigated, with detectives working to identify those behind the attack. Although no arrests have been made so far, the investigation is ongoing, and additional police have been deployed to the area to restore order.
The arson attack has added to growing tensions in the area. Smith expressed concern that the incident would further escalate already volatile situations at the taxi rank. He emphasized that while the South African Police Service (SAPS) is leading the investigation, the City has mobilized its own resources to assist with visible policing efforts to maintain peace and security in Nyanga. The taxi rank is a vital hub for thousands of daily commuters, and Smith stressed the City’s responsibility to protect public safety and prevent any further violence.
This arson incident follows a deadly shooting at the rank just weeks ago, which led to multiple arrests. Smith described the fire as unlikely to have been an accident and reiterated that the investigation would proceed swiftly, with those responsible facing the full consequences of the law. He also pledged the City’s full support to SAPS in tackling the situation.
Meanwhile, the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) in the Western Cape condemned the fire, calling the destruction of taxis “unacceptable.” In a statement, Santaco expressed concern over the damage to property and urged those involved to seek peaceful resolutions to avoid further harm to the community. The council also indicated that it would be meeting with the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) to discuss the events and encourage dialogue among the various parties involved to find an amicable solution. Santaco emphasized its commitment to maintaining a peaceful and stable taxi industry that serves the commuters of the province.
Authorities are calling on anyone with information related to the incident to come forward and assist law enforcement in bringing those responsible to justice. With tensions running high, the focus remains on restoring calm and ensuring the safety of all those who rely on the Nyanga Taxi Rank for their daily transportation needs.
