Taxi and gang violence in Cape Town raises election fears
Ongoing: Elections Hot
Two men were shot and taken to hospital at the Palm Taxi Rank in Delft on Wednesday, next to a voting station. Five people were gunned down at a braai in Lavender Hill on Saturday, days before the 4 November elections.
Sizakhele Dyantyi, the provincial police commissioner, linked the rise in taxi violence to route disputes between rival taxi associations. At a police briefing on Thursday she warned those stirring violence: "They will be dealt with harshly." Reports said one person was also gunned down earlier in the week at the same Delft rank.
Charles George, a community activist and pastor in Delft, said the violence makes voters question whether they can reach a voting station and get home safely. The ANC Dullah Omar region said the violence comes at a critical moment. It warned that the violence will intimidate voters if it goes unchecked.
Michael Hendrickse, the IEC provincial electoral officer, said police are assessing high-risk areas as part of election preparations. He said the commission remains concerned about crime that could affect voters' ability to reach voting stations.
Key facts
- Who
- Charles George (community activist and pastor in Delft); Michael Hendrickse (IEC provincial electoral officer); Anslin Gysman (head of communications for ActionSA's campaign in the metro); Johan Brand (City of Cape Town safety and security commissioner)
- What
- Taxi and gang violence has increased in Cape Town ahead of the 4 November local government elections, raising concern about voter safety. On Wednesday two men were shot at the Palm Taxi Rank in Delft, next to a voting station, and on Saturday five people were gunned down at a braai in Lavender Hill. The provincial police commissioner linked the taxi violence to route disputes between rival taxi…
- When
- 29 October 2026
- Where
- Cape Town, Delft, Lavender Hill
- Status
- Reported