More than fifteen taxis were engulfed in flames at the Nyanga taxi rank in Cape Town as tensions within the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) continue to escalate. The conflict, centered around the lucrative Sea Point route, has once again led to devastating consequences for taxi owners and operators.
Nkululeko Sityebi, the association’s spokesperson, confirmed that the affected vehicles primarily serviced the Sea Point route, a focal point of ongoing disputes. The route has been a source of contention for some time, with previous incidents of violence reported, including a shooting on January 13.
Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse stated that emergency crews were dispatched to the scene around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday night. Upon arrival, multiple vehicles were already ablaze. Despite strong winds hindering efforts, firefighters managed to extinguish the fire by 11:40 p.m. Among the vehicles destroyed were thirteen taxis, four Mercedes-Benz Sprinter buses, and a civilian car. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and the scene has been handed over to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for further investigation.
Sityebi dismissed the possibility of mechanical failure, insisting the fire was an intentional act. He expressed shock that tensions on the Sea Point route had escalated to such an extreme level. According to him, most of the burned taxis belonged to operators working along this route. He emphasized the severe impact on vehicle owners, as the loss of a taxi directly affects their livelihood, not only in immediate earnings but for an extended period.
Hopes that tensions had subsided after the January shooting have now been dashed. Efforts to mediate through discussions with primary association leaders had provided some optimism, but the sudden attack has reignited concerns. Despite the violence, Sityebi assured commuters that taxi services would continue, as operators remain committed to safe and reliable transportation.
He acknowledged that internal disputes exist within any organization but noted that resorting to destruction was deeply troubling. Law enforcement must intervene and uncover the culprits behind this deliberate attack to prevent further escalation.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) secretary, Ryno Saaiers, condemned the arson and all forms of violence. He urged all involved parties to engage in dialogue to ensure commuter safety. He stressed that resolving conflicts through discussion was paramount and left the investigation in the hands of law enforcement.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed that additional officers have been deployed to the Nyanga taxi rank in response to the incident. Official reports indicate that three minibus taxis were completely destroyed, while thirteen others suffered varying degrees of damage. SAPS detectives have opened an arson case, though no arrests have been made yet. Authorities have assured the public that law enforcement will maintain a presence in the area until stability is restored.
Despite the chaos, the Nyanga taxi rank remains open, ensuring that commuters can continue their daily travel while investigations continue. The incident has once again highlighted the volatile nature of taxi industry disputes, with urgent calls for intervention to prevent further violence and economic loss.
