The Somerset West taxi rank has been closed by the South African Police Service for 24 hours to prevent further taxi-related violence.

At least six people have been shot in taxi-related violence in Cape Town this week.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde says the ongoing violence and collapse of talks between the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association have put commuters and the public at risk.

Winde says an urgent court order will be filed against these organisations as a measure to quell the violence, intimidation, and unlawful operations.

Meanwhile, Western Cape Mobility Minister Isaac Sileku says his first priority is to protect commuters against taxi violence.

Sileku says violence will not be tolerated.

“My first duty is to protect commuters. No one has the right to endanger the lives of ordinary people trying to get to work, school or home. Let me be clear, violence will never be rewarded.” 

Gang and Taxi Violence | Several people killed and others wounded in the Western Cape: