Girl, 14, Shot Dead as South Africa’s ‘Taxi Wars’ Hit School
Police in South Africa are investigating a tragic shooting at a secondary school in Cape Town that left a 14-year-old girl and a taxi operator dead. This incident highlights the escalating violence tied to the country’s fiercely competitive taxi industry, known for its long-standing turf wars.
Incident Overview
– Date: Wednesday
– Location: Atlantis Senior Secondary, Cape Town
– Fatalities:
– 14-year-old female student
– 42-year-old taxi operator
– Injuries:
– Two students, aged 14 and 16, suffered gunshot wounds
An unidentified assailant opened fire on a minibus taxi waiting to pick up students, injuring the driver, another adult male, and two children. This attack is suspected to be linked to ongoing conflicts between rival taxi associations in the region.
Community Response
Isaac Sileku, a senior official in the Western Cape, expressed outrage over the incident, stating, It is unacceptable that our children are continuously exposed to danger due to ongoing conflict within the taxi industry. He emphasized the necessity for safety in the community, particularly for students traveling to and from school.
Background on Taxi Industry Violence
South Africa’s taxi industry has a sordid history of violence, exacerbated by the rise of e-hailing services which have increased competition. Such tensions frequently result in violent confrontations among operators, impacting innocent bystanders.
Cape Town’s Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, announced a reward of up to 100,000 rand (£4,600; $6,400) for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the shooting.
Details of the Shooting
As students were leaving the school, chaos erupted when gunfire broke out. Police arrived to find the taxi operator’s body inside the vehicle, showing multiple gunshot wounds. The 14-year-old girl was discovered on the school grounds, having been shot multiple times while attempting to flee the scene. Additionally, the police reported that another girl, aged 16, was grazed by a bullet during the attack.
Call for Justice and Safety
Authorities have condemned this senseless act, asserting that no student should face danger while commuting. The Western Cape officials reiterated that the safety of commuters and students is non-negotiable and called for law enforcement to act swiftly against the perpetrators.
In conclusion, the tragic loss of life in this incident underscores the dire implications of South Africa’s ongoing taxi wars, affecting not only industry players but also innocent children. The community’s call for justice highlights the need for urgent reforms to ensure safety and security in the region.