Friday, 30 October 2026-The South African Communist Party (SACP) in the Western Cape condemns with the strongest terms possible, the ongoing wave of senseless shootings within the minibus taxi industry in the province. These acts of violence threaten the lives of commuters, workers, taxi operators and communities, while disrupting public transport and undermining people's ability to access work and other essential services.
The persistent shootings expose the erosion of state authority and raise serious concerns about the infiltration of the minibus taxi industry by criminal networks. The state's response has been found wanting, particularly that of the police whose operational capacity continues to face the consequences of budgetary constraints and resource shortages. The state cannot continue to allow criminal elements to terrorise communities and disrupt public transport without decisive intervention.
The escalating violence also raises serious questions about the effectiveness of deploying the South African National Defence Force in the City of Cape Town. Despite the military presence, shootings and insecurity continue to plague the City of Cape Town. This demonstrates that military deployment alone cannot resolve the underlying problems of violent crime, organised criminal networks and inadequate policing.
The City of Cape Town's claims of investing billions of rands in public safety must be measured against the lived experiences of residents, commuters, workers and taxi operators. The continued violence raises questions about whether these investments and the highly publicised technological interventions championed by the DA are translating into tangible improvements in public safety. Technology cannot substitute for effective policing, credible intelligence, adequately resourced law enforcement agencies and decisive action against criminal networks.
The SACP reiterates its call for the urgent stabilisation and strengthening of police intelligence in the Western Cape. As an immediate step, the position of Provincial Head of Crime Intelligence must be filled through the appointment of a suitably qualified and capable individual. Effective intelligence is essential to identifying criminal networks, anticipating threats, preventing shootings and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.
Furthermore, the SACP calls on employers across all sectors of the provincial economy to put workers' safety first. Workers who are unable to reach their workplaces because of taxi-related violence, suspended services or transport disruptions must not be penalised for circumstances beyond their control. Employers must ensure that affected workers receive their full wages and must not force workers to choose between risk of death, on the one hand, and their safety and their livelihoods, on the other.
We also call on minibus taxi operators to ensure that drivers receive their full wages during suspension of taxi services. Taxi drivers are workers whose livelihoods must be protected. They must not be made to bear the financial consequences of shootings, violence and the suspension of taxi operations for which they are not responsible.
The SACP further calls on both taxi associations to exercise leadership and take concrete steps to end the violence. The industry cannot afford to continue losing lives while commuters, drivers, operators and communities live under the constant threat of shootings. All parties must commit themselves to dialogue and a peaceful resolution of their differences, with the safety and interests of the public taking precedence.
The SACP remains readily available to assist both associations in facilitating peace negotiations. We believe that a sustainable resolution requires meaningful engagement, a commitment to peace and an end to the violence that continues to devastate communities and livelihoods.
The people of the Western Cape deserve safe public transport, effective policing and a state that exercises its authority to protect lives. The continued loss of life and disruption of essential transport services cannot be normalised. The time has come for decisive action to restore public safety, protect workers and commuters, and bring an end to the violence within the minibus taxi industry.
Issued by: South African Communist Party Western Cape Province
FOR ENQUIRIES:
Benson Ngqentsu - Provincial Secretary
082 796 6400
Lizwi Gegula - Provincial Spokesperson
078 8272 2274
ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN COMMUNIST PARTY,
FOUNDED IN 1921 AS THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF SOUTH AFRICA.
Media, Communications & Information Department | MCID
Mhlekwa Nxumalo, Acting National Spokesperson
____________________________________________________
FOR INTERVIEW ARRANGEMENTS, MEDIA LIAISON & CIRCULATION SERVICES
Pius Vilakati
Communications & Acting Media Liaison Officer
Mobile: +27 66 4734819
+27 81 353 3383
____________________________________
OFFICE & OTHER CONTACT DETAILS
Office: +2711 339 3621/2
Website: www.sacp.org.za
Facebook Page: South African Communist Party
Twitter: SACP1921
__________________________________________
WELCOME TO THE SACP DONATION PAGE: https://donate.sacp.org.za/. PLEASE MAKE A CLEAN DONATION.
