A spate of deadly shootings has claimed the lives of seven people in Johannesburg over two consecutive days, as part of a suspected feud between rival taxi associations. On Thursday morning, four individuals were killed when armed men opened fire at a taxi rank in the Jeppestown area. The deceased included a taxi driver, a queue marshal, and two street vendors. Three others, including a university student, were injured in the attack.
This incident followed a similar fatal shooting the day before in Katlehong, southeast of Johannesburg, where three taxi drivers were killed and two passengers injured. Authorities believe these acts of violence are tied to ongoing territorial disputes within the region’s minibus taxi industry.
Context of Violence
The violence highlights the broader context of high crime rates in South Africa, where the nation records an average of 75 murders daily. Although specific data on taxi-related violence is not frequently tracked, the industry has been marred by lethal turf wars for many years. The recent attacks underscore the persistent danger surrounding taxi operations in the area.
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