It is with deep sadness and grave concern that Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Isaac Sileku, has learnt of the fatal shooting of a prominent leader in the minibus taxi industry at the Nyanga Taxi Rank on Wednesday, 16 April 2025.
A Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association taxi leader, Mongi Titi, was assassinated at the Nyanga taxi rank on Wednesday night, the South African National Taxi Council Western Cape confirmed.
Minister Sileku conveys his heartfelt condolences to the family, loved ones, and fellow transport operators of the deceased. “This tragic loss has sent shockwaves through the transport sector and the Nyanga community. I trust that the South African Police Service (SAPS) will conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible for this heinous act are swiftly brought to justice,” said Minister Sileku.
The Minister urges any eyewitnesses or members of the community who have information about the incident to come forward and cooperate with law enforcement, “Only through community cooperation can a solid case be built, convictions secured, and this unacceptable ongoing cycle of violence ended.”
The Nyanga community has experienced far too many incidents of brazen violence in recent times. This latest shooting brings painful reminders of previous gun-related attacks and the torching of public transport vehicles that have destabilised the area.
Minister Sileku appeals to leaders in the taxi industry, operators, and drivers to remain calm and not resort to any acts of retaliation. “Retaliatory action will only escalate this violence and further entrench conflict in the community, putting the lives of innocent residents in danger. We cannot allow violence to become a permanent feature of our public transport system,” said Minister Sileku.
The Minister also reminds stakeholders of the recent roll-out of conflict prevention and resolution training by the Western Cape Mobility Department, designed to equip the taxi industry with tools to manage disputes constructively. He encourages all leaders in the industry to prioritise dialogue, restraint, and peaceful solutions.
“We must work together to ensure stability and safety in the transport sector. The future of the industry and the safety of our communities depend on our collective ability to reject violence and uphold the rule of law,” concluded Minister Sileku.
High-Fructose
Diary of an Englishman after he moves to South Africa….
**August 1**: Just got transferred with work from London, UK to our new home in Phalaborwa, Limpopo, South Africa. Now this is a town that knows how to live! Beautiful, sunny days and warm, balmy evenings. I watched the sunset from a deckchair by our pool yesterday. It was beautiful. I’ve finally found my new home. I love it here.
**September 1:** Really heating up now. It got to 31 today. No problem though. Living in air-conditioned home, driving air-conditioned car. What a pleasure to see the sun every day like this. I’m turning into a sun-worshipper – no blasted rain like back in London! Had the back yard landscaped with tropical plants today. Lots of palms and rocks. No more mowing lawns for me! Another scorcher today, but I love it here. It’s Paradise !
**October 1:** The temperature hasn’t been below 35 all week. How do people get used to this kind of heat? At least today it’s windy though. Keeps the flies off a bit. Acclimatizing is taking longer than we expected. Fell asleep by the pool yesterday. Got third degree burns over 60% of my body. Missed three days off work. What a dumb thing to do. Got to respect the old sun in a climate like this!
**October 25:** This wind is a bastard. It feels like a giant fucking blow dryer. And it’s hot as hell! The home air conditioner is on the blink and the repair man charged R200 just to drive over and tell me he needs to order parts from @#$# Johannesburg. The wife & the kids are complaining.
**October 30:** The temperature’s up around 40 and the parts still haven’t arrived for the fucking air conditioner. House is an oven so we’ve all been sleeping outside by the pool for 3 nights now. Bleeding R4 million house and we can’t even go inside. Why the hell did I ever come here?
**November 4:** Finally got the fucking air-conditioner fixed. It cost R1,500 and gets the temperature down to around 35 degrees. Stupid repairman. Fucking thief. If one more smart bastard says ‘Hot enough for you today?’ I’m going to fucking throttle him. Fucking heat! By the time I get to work, the car radiator is boiling over, my fucking clothes are soaking fucking wet and I smell like baked cat. Fucking place is the end of the Earth.
**November 9:** Tried to run some errands after work, wore shorts, and sat on the black leather upholstery in my car. I thought my fucking backside was on fire. I lost 2 layers of flesh, all the hair on the backs of my legs and off my fucking behind. Now the car smells like burnt hair, fried bum and baked cat. The Weather report might as well be a fucking recording – hot and sunny. Hot and sunny, Hot and fucking sunny. It’s been too hot to do anything for 2 bleeding months and the weatherman says it might really warm up next week. Fuck!!
**November 15:** Doesn’t it ever rain in this darn place? Water restrictions will be next, so my R5,000 worth of palms might just dry up and blow into the fucking pool. The only things that thrive in this hell-hole are the fucking flies. You don’t dare open your mouth for fear of swallowing half a dozen of the little buzzards!
**November 20:** Welcome to HELL! It got to 45 degrees today. Now the air conditioner is gone in my car. The repair man came to fix it and said, ‘Hot enough for you today?’ I wanted to shove the car up his backside. Anyway, had to spend the R2,500 of the mortgage payment to bail me out of jail for assaulting the stupid fool. Fucking PHALABORWA! What kind of sick, demented idiot would want to live here!
**December 1:** WHAT!!!! The FIRST day of Summer!!!!
You are fucking kidding me, right?
High Beam
Germany: You have two cows. One lives in Deutchsland, the other lives in Germany. You still can\’t tell them apart.