Forty-Three people, two of them police officers, were arrested for their alleged involvement in two incidents of taxi violence that wracked Lyttelton, Centurion this week.

Police believe the incidents could be linked to disputes about routes between taxi associations operating in the area.

Four firearms and ammunition, six vehicles as well as knopkieries were confiscated during the arrests, according to police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili.

The arrests came after police responded to a report of shots being fired at Botha Avenue and Alexandra streets on Thursday, where several taxis were seen parked.

“While the police vehicles were approaching, the minibus taxis sped off into various directions,” said Muridili.

“One of the responding police vans followed a white minibus taxi with no registration numbers through Botha Ave.

The van called for another police vehicle to block the intersection at Alexander and Jean Avenue streets.

“Before the vehicle was cornered, the occupants in the minibus started shooting at the police and the officers returned fire.”

Also read: Shootout at shopping centre in Moot

A tyre of the minibus taxi was shot out, but the driver continued driving into oncoming traffic.

Police officers at the intersection finally forced the vehicle to stop.

“Three of the taxi’s occupants fled on foot, but the police pursued them.

They were subsequently found inside one of the nearby houses.

“The other two were arrested on the scene.”

Muridili said that one of the suspects arrested was an SAPS sergeant stationed at Tembisa.

She said while the registration-less taxi was being pursued, the other police vehicles were chasing other minibus taxis and a sedan down the R21 south highway while calling for backup.

Ultimately, five minibus taxis and the sedan were stopped near the Olifantsfontein off-ramp.

“We arrested 37 people.” She said the vehicles were searched and firearms with ammunition were recovered.

“Even though two of the firearms were licensed, they will all be sent to the forensic science laboratory for ballistic testing.”

Meanwhile, in a separate incident on February 9, 2022, the police were called to a crime scene at a filling station in Botha Avenue in Irene, where the body of a man was found.

Muridili said preliminary investigations revealed that the man was part of two groups that were involved in a fight.

“The groups are reported to have parked their vehicles, three minibus taxis and a sedan at the filling station before the fight broke out.”

“They apparently used stones and knopkieries to attack each other, while one of them fired several shots during the altercation,” she said.

When police arrived on the scene, they scattered on foot and in vehicles. According to police, the injured were in stable but critical condition.

“Two people were transported to the hospital for medical attention.

“The body was pointed out to the police by witnesses.”

Also Read: Another body recovered in Centurion

She said the police, with the assistance of witnesses, immediately traced the alleged shooter to a nearby shopping centre.

Muridili said police managed to find in his possession, a firearm and two rounds of ammunition.

“He was then placed under arrest. After questioning, it was discovered that he is a police sergeant stationed at the Sandringham police station.”

Police seized firearms with serial numbers that corresponded with ones issued by the SAPS to the officer.

She said the case has been allocated to the provincial taxi violence combat team, who were working closely with officers from the Lyttelton station, for investigation.

According to her, the station has begun implementing an operational plan to combat taxi violence, which included visible police patrols at “strategic points”.

Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela welcomed the arrests.

Mawela said he has directed the station commanders, where the two arrested officers are stationed, to start internal disciplinary processes against them.

Efforts by the anti-taxi violence unit and the anti-taxi violence combat teams were starting to yield positive results, he said.

The 43 suspects will appear in the Pretoria magistrate’s court on Monday.

They face charges that include murder, attempted murder, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and public violence.