Four people were shot dead at a taxi rank in central Johannesburg on Thursday in what police suspect is part of ongoing violence between rival taxi associations. The attack follows a similar shooting near the city a day earlier, which left three people dead.
According to South African police, a group of armed men arrived in a vehicle at a taxi rank in the Jeppestown area early Thursday and opened fire. The victims included a taxi driver, a taxi queue marshal, and two hawkers. Three others—a university student, another driver, and a taxi passenger—sustained injuries.
Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that the attack is believed to be linked to long-standing conflicts in the taxi industry, which has been marred by assassinations and violent disputes over routes for decades. Minibus taxis remain the primary mode of transport for many South Africans, making the industry highly competitive and lucrative.
A similar incident occurred on Wednesday in Katlehong, southeast of Johannesburg, where three taxi drivers were gunned down at a rank. Two passengers were also wounded in that attack.
“It is reported that a group of people arrived and started shooting randomly,” Nevhuhulwi stated.
South Africa continues to struggle with high crime rates, with an average of 75 murders recorded daily, according to police statistics. However, deaths linked to ongoing taxi feuds are not specifically categorized in these figures.
Authorities are investigating both shootings as concerns grow over escalating violence in the country’s transport sector.
