The Western Cape Government strongly condemns the deadly violence that occurred this morning, 6 June, just after 7am at the Mfuleni minibus taxi rank. This tragic incident claimed the lives of four people and left three others injured. The South African Police Service (SAPS) is investigating, and we urge anyone with information to come forward and assist law enforcement in ensuring those responsible are brought to justice.
Western Cape Mobility Minister Isaac Sileku expressed his deep sorrow and concern, “I am shocked and deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence. We cannot allow criminality to take hold of our public transport spaces and threaten the safety of innocent commuters and workers. I appeal to the community and the minibus taxi industry to stand united, remain calm, and fully support the police investigation. Those responsible must face the full consequences of the law. We must never become numb to this kind of violence. Behind every life lost is a family, a story, and a future that has been cruelly cut short. I remain committed to building a safer province where every life is valued and protected, especially on our roads and transport networks.”
The Western Cape Mobility Department is gravely concerned by the ongoing disregard for human life and the safety of those who rely on public transport daily. Violence in or around our transport hubs is not only unacceptable – it undermines our shared goal of providing safe, reliable, and dignified mobility for all. Safe, reliable and affordable public transport is critical if we are to achieve our goals of driving economic growth and creating more jobs.
We urge all transport operators and drivers to remain calm and support law enforcement to carry out their duties. Disputes must never be resolved through violence. There is no justification for actions that place innocent lives at risk and disrupt critical transport services.
The Western Cape Government extends its heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives in this devastating incident. We remain steadfast in our commitment to prioritising the safety and well-being of every commuter and transport worker in our province.
Marshmallow
Ag man! [Ach-man] This is the Afrikaans equivalent to “Oh man!” and is often used at the beginning of a sentence to express pity, resignation or irritation.Example: “Ag, man!” / “Ag, no man!” / “Ag, shame man!”
Cool Whip
Fun South African Fact: The South African flag was used for the first time on Freedom Day 1994.