The investigation into a fatal shooting in Retreat last week is still ongoing and police are asking for the community’s assistance in the case.
On Wednesday March 6, Moosa Joseph, 25, was shot and killed on the corner of Retreat Road and 11th Avenue at about noon. Captain Frederick van Wyk said according to reports, the taxi driver was sitting in a white Toyota Quantum, possibly waiting for passengers, when he was approached by an unidentified man who shot at him.
“He was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel and the motive for this incident forms part of the police investigation. The suspects are yet to be arrested,” he said.
Drivers from the Lotus River Taxi Association, of which the victim was part of, only returned to work on Monday March 11 fearing more violence.
Janine Solomons from the association said they were not sure what sparked the violence and said another incident at Blue Route Mall later last week could be linked to the shooting.
“We are waiting on information about the case to tell us what it was related to but our drivers haven’t been driving since Wednesday and we only allowed them to go back to work on Monday because we were afraid there might be more attacks.”
The incident she refers to happened in Tokai Road on Friday March 8 at about 2.15pm when a group of men rushed and attacked taxi drivers but fled when they saw police, said provincial police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi.
“Integrated law enforcement agencies rushed to the area to assist Kirstenbosch police. Members of Public Order Police (POP) were dispatched and they are static on the scene to prevent further retaliation,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Western Cape Mobility MEC Ricardo Mackenzie said negotiations between taxi associations Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) and Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) are under way following the violent clashes.
Mr Mackenzie issued a warning to those involved in the current tension and violence and said the full might of the law will come down on those who cause mayhem and a criminal element in the taxi industry and that there will be consequences.
Anyone with any information on either of the shootings can call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
