Additional Police Deployed After Multiple Taxis Set Ablaze at Nyanga Taxi Rank
Cape Town authorities have deployed additional police to Nyanga Taxi Rank following a violent incident on Sunday night. Thirteen minibus taxis were set on fire, alongside four sprinter buses and a civilian vehicle were burnt in the attack. The arson attack comes almost a month after a deadly shooting at the same taxi rank, highlighting ongoing tensions in the area.
Firefighters Respond to Blaze
Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services, confirmed that firefighters responded to the Nyanga taxi rank around 10:30 p.m. Sunday. Upon arrival, they found several vehicles engulfed in flames.The South African Police Service (SAPS) is investigating the incident as an arson case and the cause of the fire. Thus, authorities have not arrested any suspects.
Heightened Police Presence
SAPS spokesperson Novela Potelwa assured the public that additional police officers will stay in the area until they restore order. When GroundUp visited on Monday, tension gripped the taxi rank. Despite the incident, the rank remained operational, with commuters traveling to their destinations.
Taxi Drivers and Commuters Express Concerns
One taxi driver, who chose to remain anonymous, claimed the fire was deliberately set by “outside elements” intent on disrupting taxi operations at the rank. “Running taxis is our bread and butter. These disruptors will not succeed,” the driver asserted. Meanwhile, a commuter expressed growing concern for their safety, urging law enforcement to station officers permanently at the rank. “We don’t feel safe here,” the commuter said.
SANTACO Responds
Ryno Saaiers, secretary of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO), condemned the attack. He called for a meeting with Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) to seek a peaceful resolution with all involved parties. “We are committed to ensuring a peaceful and stable taxi industry in the Western Cape,” Saaiers said.
City Officials Take Action
Cape Town’s Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith, expressed skepticism about the incident being accidental. He stressed the importance of securing the taxi rank, which serves thousands of commuters daily. “We have a duty to ensure they can go about their lives without fear of a repeat incident,” Smith said.
Authorities continue to investigate the attack as tensions persist in Cape Town’s volatile taxi industry.
