Two bullet holes in the left door window of a minibus taxi and a trail of shell casings showed how at least one gunman opened fire at a busy taxi rank, leaving seven people injured in the Cape Town CBD on Monday.
Bullets flew just before noon, sending commuters scrambling for cover at the station deck rank in the city. Six men and a woman in a wheelchair where injured and taken to hospital after the shooting spree, which initial reports indicated could be related to taxi violence.
Within minutes of the shooting, a nearby traffic officer on patrol chased down and apprehended one gunman.
Taxi drivers at the rank told Sunday Times Daily that a taxi boss from Sea Point appeared to have been the target and was among the wounded. A taxi which was the target of the shooting was cordoned off with police tape. Some drivers said there was a brewing dispute over long-distance routes for the festive season.
Detectives were combing three scenes linked to the incident, said police spokesperson Sgt Noloyiso Rwexana.
Rwexana said a traffic officer who responded to the shooting apprehended a 31-year-old suspect and confiscated a firearm.
“Crime experts and detectives are combing three scenes in Marine Drive, Strand and Buitenkant Street for clues in Cape Town following a shooting incident that left six men and one female wounded,” said Rwexana.
“According to information, unidentified suspects shot and wounded people at the station deck before fleeing in various directions while still discharging shots,” she said.
She said cases of attempted murder were under investigation and the suspect would appear in court after being charged. “The possibility that the incident is related to the taxi industry is not ruled out,” said Rwexana.
Provincial emergency medical services (EMS) spokesperson Deanna Bessick said patients were found at Old Marine Drive, the long-distance bus terminals and on the taxi rank deck. “EMS transported four patients to hospitals nearby. The rest of the patients were transported by ER24. The patients sustained chest, shoulder and head injuries. Fortunately, there were no fatalities at the scene.”
The city’s mayco member for safety and security JP Smith commended the traffic officer who made the arrest.
“I must commend the traffic officer for his lightning response in pursuing and apprehending the gunman who was armed with a 9mm firearm. He didn’t think twice about running down an armed man so he could ensure no-one else is injured and the criminal is caught. His bravery has ensured that there will be justice for those who were shot. Our thoughts are with them and their families,” he said.
The station deck and surrounding roads were temporarily closed.
