Cele threatens to shut down all WC taxi ranks

Bheki Cele has threatened to instigate a shutdown of all taxi ranks in the Western Cape if killings in the industry don’t stop in the province.

According to the minister of police, 45 people have been killed in violence linked to the taxi industry since April of this year alone. “And June has not ended, which means it could be more,” he added.

The figure is more than double the reported number for the same time period in the previous year, when 20 people were killed.

READ MORE: Arrest made in Cape Town taxi violence murders

Cele said a dedicated team of detectives would be set up to investigate the taxi violence, The Times has reported.

“As government, we need to rise and protect the vulnerable. We cannot allow a situation of bloodshed and lawlessness on our roads. The full might of the law will be felt and heard in all corners‚” Cele said after a crisis meeting in Cape Town on Sunday.

Cele met taxi bosses on Sunday with his deputy‚ Bongani Mkongi‚ deputy transport minister Sindiswe Chikunga and Western Cape MECs Dan Plato (community safety) and Donald Grant (transport).

Cele to shut down W Cape taxi ranks if killings don't cease pic.twitter.com/RfRIbrWYnn

— SABC News (@SABCNews) June 25, 2018

Police Minister Bheki Cele says he will be forced to shut down all taxi ranks in the Western Cape if killings in the industry do not stop. #sabcnews

— Nzinga Qunta (@NzingaQ) June 25, 2018

44 people have been killed in violence linked to the taxi industry since April this year, according to Police Minister Bheki Cele. Last year the number at this point was around 20 people. #sabcnews

— Nzinga Qunta (@NzingaQ) June 25, 2018