Cape Town - Langa passengers started their day with a deadly shooting after a taxi driver was shot and killed during the morning rush on Tuesday.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said an investigation was under way into the circumstances surrounding the shooting incident at about 07:30 at a taxi rank, where the 35-year-old male was fatally shot.
A murder case had been opened, he added.
Msimelelo Jijingubo, from Philippi, was about to drive the Wynberg route when unknown suspects opened fire, and he died on the scene.
"Langa police were called to the scene where they found the victim with a gunshot wound to the head. The victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel," said Twigg.
He said the suspect/s fled the scene and were yet to be arrested.
Taxis are operating as normal, while the police are still combing the scene @IOL @TheCapeArgus pic.twitter.com/mnZHZauTBK
— Sisonke Mlamla (@SISONKE_MD) February 8, 2022
One of the passengers who did not want to be named said the incident was scary, adding that soon after people heard gunshots everyone ran away.
While the police and EMS were busy combing the scene, other minibus taxis operated as normal. No taxi driver wanted to comment.
Cata general secretary Mandla Hermanus said they were shocked to hear of the incident.
Hermanus said Cata leadership was away, and as such, they did not have information on the circumstances surrounding the incident. However, he condemned the killing and urged law enforcement to do everything in their power to arrest the perpetrators.
Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka, spokesperson for Transport and Public Works MEC Daylin Mitchell, said the police would take the lead in the investigation and would advise if the murder was related to taxi violence or other criminal activity.
"We condemn all forms of violence and will continue to work with police crime intelligence and State Security Agency to monitor any brewing conflicts within and between taxi associations," said Makoba-Somdaka.
SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) provincial spokesperson Gershon Geyer said they were dismayed by the killing of the taxi driver and urged the community to assist the police with apprehending the persons responsible for the heinous crime.
Anyone with any information about this incident can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.