Taxi feud heats up – one shot
Violence reigned as taxi associations fought over the route between Newcastle and Gauteng this morning.
Reports have confirmed that at least one person was shot at the taxi rank this morning.
The incident occurred after an argument broke out between alleged rival taxi drivers from Bambanani Taxi Association and Sizwe Taxi Association concerning the route from Newcastle to Gauteng.
With each association believing they had sole rights on the route, the argument allegedly turned violent.
Armed with knob kerries and rocks, what had been an argument about a simple route turned the rank into a war zone.
By the time police arrived at the scene, three taxis were damaged, one person injured from the physical fight and one person shot.
However, unofficial reports indicated that three people had been shot and were taken to the hospital.
Warrant Officer Simon Luthuli, communications officer for the SAPS, confirmed that shots had been fired during the incident.
However, he was unable to corroborate how many people had in fact been shot.
The taxi rank has since been closed, as taxi drivers demanded that the MEC for Transport, Willies Mchunu, come to Newcastle and resolve the matter.
