A prominent Cape Town taxi boss was shot and killed in a hail of bullets on Friday, 31 January, while checking on his vehicle at a mechanic’s garage in Philippi. The incident occurred at the corner of Emms Drive and Govan Mbeki Road, sending shockwaves through the local community. Witnesses reported hearing at least 10 gunshots coming from the open garage, and when residents rushed to the scene, they found the taxi owner lying lifeless on the ground. The victim was known to own multiple taxis and a long-distance bus, making his sudden and violent death all the more startling.
An eyewitness who works at the garage described the shooting as swift and precise. “It happened about 20 meters from where I was standing. It took less than a second—the killers did their job and ran away,” he recounted. The mechanic who was working on the taxi was unharmed, but the brazenness of the attack left many in the area shaken. The attackers fled the scene immediately, leaving behind little evidence.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed the incident, stating that Nyanga police have opened a murder case and are actively investigating. “The 56-year-old victim was attacked by two unknown suspects while inquiring about his minibus taxi. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was declared deceased at the scene by medical personnel,” Twigg said. Authorities believe the motive behind the attack is linked to ongoing conflicts within the taxi industry—a sector often plagued by territorial disputes and violence.
This shooting comes just weeks after police recovered over 20 illegal firearms at Nyanga Taxi Rank following another deadly shooting. The recent surge in violence highlights the escalating tensions within the taxi industry. Police are urging anyone with information regarding the latest incident to contact CrimeStop at 08600 10111 as they continue their search for the suspects responsible.
