MASS SHOOTING | Four killed, child, 7, wounded at Bellville taxi rank

Four men were killed and two others, including a seven-year-old child, wounded when four gunmen opened fire at the Bellville taxi rank in Cape Town on Saturday evening, 7 November.

The shooting took place in the long-distance section of the rank at approximately 21:00.

Western Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Frederick C. van Wyk said the attackers arrived in two vehicles before opening fire.

“Official police reports from the scene indicate that the victims were at the long distance side of the taxi rank at approximately 21:00 when four gunmen travelling in two vehicles emerged,” he said.

The gunmen fired multiple shots, killing four men and injuring another man and the child.

Police launch investigation

Van Wyk confirmed that detectives from the Provincial Taxi Violence Unit were investigating the shooting.

Bellville police have registered murder and attempted murder cases.

A firearm linked to a taxi driver was also confiscated.

“No arrests have been effected yet. Investigations into the shooting incident continue,” Van Wyk said.

Shooting follows taxi peace talks

The deadly attack comes less than a week after rival Cape Town taxi associations agreed to end ongoing violence.

The Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) committed to a ceasefire during talks with provincial and City officials on Monday, 2 November.

However, on Thursday, 5 November, a 44-year-old taxi operator was shot and wounded at the Nyanga taxi rank.

Police have not established whether the Bellville shooting is linked to the taxi dispute.