Taxis gather in Woodmead after shooting incident
Police officials are keeping a close eye on the R55 in Woodmead, Johannesburg, after of a number of taxis gathered in the area on Tuesday morning following alleged taxi violence.
The taxis gathered outside World of Golf, on the corner of Maxwell Drive and the R55.
Sandton police spokesperson Warrant Officer Moses Maphakela said the incident, which was reported as taxi violence, was a random drive-by shooting yesterday, Sandton Chronicle reported.
“A number of taxis had been parked at an informal taxi rank on the R55 in Woodmead yesterday. A taxi pulled up next to one of the parked taxis and fired a shot. The taxi driver was in the parked taxi at the time of the shooting. However, he was unharmed,” added Maphakela.
It is still unclear as to why the other taxi driver fired a shot.
Residents are urged to avoid the area if possible.
Some tweets regarding Monday’s incident:
: #ATT#AVOID R55 in Woodmead opposite McDonald’s….Taxi violence. 200 odd taxis shooting into the sky. SAPS just arrived on scene.
: #ATT#AVOID R55 in Woodmead opposite McDonald’s….Taxi violence. 200 odd taxis shooting into the sky. SAPS just arrived on scene.
: @PigSpotter jip I was next to the guy that started the shooting.my car became an off road car very quickly.never been so scared before
: pparently more taxi violence underway…..large taxi gathering under Woodmead bridge with cops arriving #news
: @EWNTraffic Reports of taxi violence in Woodmead near The World of Golf. Motorists are urged to avoid.
In a separate incident, three people were shot and one suspect arrested in an alleged taxi violence dispute on Woodmead Drive in Sunninghill, in the north of Johannesburg, in February.
Police spokesperson Kym Cloete said the taxi violence started just before 4pm on Woodmead Drive, near R55.
“One suspect was arrested on the charge of attempted murder, and one firearm was confiscated,” said Cloete.
She added three victims were shot and wounded.
One taxi was reportedly burnt, while another was damaged in melee.
– Caxton News Service
Read original story on sandtonchronicle.co.za
