Fears of renewed taxi violence have emerged after two taxi owners were gunned down in Epping, with a taxi association representative raising concerns that a dispute over a R150 fine for loading passengers in the wrong area may have preceded the killings.
The men, aged 45 and 46, were shot dead in Fisher Avenue on Friday, October 16, when seven gunmen allegedly opened fire on their vehicle. Two suspects, aged 27 and 31, have been arrested and are expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday, October 19, 2026.
Seven gunmen open fire on taxi owners
According to the South African Police Service, the men had been patrolling the route along Fisher Avenue in Epping on Friday, 16 October 2026, for rivals when they were ambushed by seven gunmen in a taxi blocking their path.
Follow-up investigations by the Provincial Taxi Violence Unit led to the arrest of two suspects aged 27 and 31 with links to the taxi industry.
Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed that the suspects are being charged with two counts of murder, with more arrests expected in due course.
“In targeted efforts to deal with taxi-related violence that rears its ugly head from time to time in the Western Cape, two suspects are expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday, October 19, 2026, following their arrest in connection with the murder of two taxi owners on Friday in Epping.
“Official reports indicate that patrol members from a taxi association were travelling in a sedan vehicle along Fisher Avenue in Epping on Friday, 16 October 2026, when there was an attempt to block their vehicle by a Toyota Quantum vehicle.
“Seven men from the taxi alighted and fired several shots at the other vehicle. Two men aged 45 and 46 were killed during the shooting. Several spent cartridges were found on the scene.
Two arrested as police probe taxi killings
“Follow-up investigations by the Provincial Taxi Violence Unit led to the arrest of two suspects with links to the taxi industry. The suspects, aged 27 and 31, are facing murder charges.
“As investigations into the shooting incident continue, more arrests are expected in due course.
“SAPS management in the Western Cape has commended the detectives who effected the arrests and reiterated that violence will be dealt with decisively by the SAPS,” Potelwa confirmed.
According to Nceba Enge, Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) the victims were taxi owners belonging to Codeta after a Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) van was fined 150 by members of Codeta for loading in the wrong place.
R150 fine sparks fears of taxi violence
“Members from the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) just decided to load from Epping to Delft. This was tried to be stopped by our members. A few days ago, it was said that Cata vehicles were taken by our members and the fine was R150. This happens when you are loading in the wrong place; then you will be fined R150.
“A call was received that the R150 should go back to Cata, or else we will face other circumstances. We did not know if he was referring to this shooting; I don’t know. Thankfully, none of the commuters were shot or injured.
“We are scared that this can transpire into a taxi war because we do not know what can happen,” Enge said.
Attempts to reach out to Cata for comment were unsuccessful.