Mfuleni Taxi Rank Shooting: A Lived Experience of a Failing System

GOOD Statement by Jonathan Cupido, GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor & Caucus Whip:

Today’s events at the Mfuleni taxi rank are yet another tragic reminder of a system in crisis, a lived reality for too many commuters who navigate our public transport interchanges in constant fear.

The GOOD Party is deeply disturbed by reports of a deadly shooting at the Mfuleni taxi rank, where four taxi owners lost their lives and three others were injured, including, it is believed, a commuter. According to reports, unknown gunmen entered a small office at the rank and opened fire.

This is not an isolated incident. In January this year, a similar shooting at the Nyanga taxi rank claimed one life and injured seven others. The recurrence of such blatant violence at public transport interchanges cannot be allowed to continue.

We call on law enforcement authorities to take urgent and decisive action to restore order and safety in these spaces. The City of Cape Town, which bears significant responsibility for managing and securing pedestrian transport interchanges, must act swiftly to ensure that these public areas are properly secured, regularly monitored, and protected from criminal activity.

We further call on SANTACO, the City of Cape Town, and the Western Cape Government, through their joint committee, to urgently convene and develop a comprehensive safety strategy for commuters, both at interchanges and along transport routes.

While investigations into today’s shooting are ongoing and the motive remains unclear, what is clear is that our communities cannot continue to endure this cycle of violence and fear. Our safety and security agencies must prioritise the safety of every commuter and transport worker.

We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wish those injured a full recovery.

The system must change for the violence to end.

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