City Vision E-edition

Peace,unityfortaxis

ing solution to many of them ahead of the festive season.

With end-of-the-year festivities on the cards, a surge in inter-provincial travels and uncertainty in the mini-bus taxi industry, members of the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) resorted to a divine intervention and converged at Mew Way Hall for a peace prayer on Tuesday 28 October.

Presided over by leaders of various churches, the prayer was attended by hundreds of taxi bosses and drivers, and numerous taxi associations, including Uncedo from the Eastern Cape.

The prayer sought to highlight challenges faced by the taxi industry and find a last-

Makhosandile Tumana, Codeta spokesperson, said the prayer was mainly for peace and unity in the taxi industry. The taxi industry has been in turmoil for several months and was plunged into chaos recently with killing of another taxi boss (“Another Cata boss dies” City Vision 23 October).

Tumana appealed for calm and the protection of commuters. “As you know, we are approaching the festive season and many people are going on holiday in different places. Our drivers will be driving long distances We are here to pray for the safety of their journeys. We want road accidents to stop.”

He said the taxis were ready to take to the road and their drivers fit for the journeys.

Tumana advised the drivers to rest well before embarking on long-distance drives

and to take regular intervals to ensure everyone’s safety on the road. “It’s important for the drivers not to put themselves under pressure while on the road. We have learnt that some of the road accidents are caused by fatigue We want our commuters to arrive alive. I can confirm to you that we will treat them with respect.”

He also urged disgruntled commuters to direct their complaints to the taxi rank.

Bishop Derrick Mtsolo of The Ilitha Meth-

odist Church of Southern Africa described the service as a great initiative “We are appealing to God to be with the taxi drivers We want God to be with them all the time. We don’t want to hear of any accidents We want people to arrive at their destinations alive and safe. We are saying enough is enough.” Mtsolo said He urged God to be with the widows and orphans who had lost their fathers and spouses in taxi-related violence

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Murder accused in court today

The house where seven people were brutal murdered and later set alight PHOTO: SUPPLIED

UNATHIOBOSE

The five men, including two minors, suspected of murdering seven people at Better Life, in Philippi, are due back in court today (30 October).

Sinothando Songca (18), Kuhle Webu (22), Asavela Tshaya (21) and the two minors aged 16 and 17 years old made their first court appearance on Friday 24 October and are all facing seven counts of murder, defeating the administration of justice and arson.

They were arrested on Wednesday night 22 and Thursday morning 23 October

Western Cape National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the five accused have been charged with seven counts of murder, defeating the administration of justice and arson.

Provincial police spokesperson Col André Traut said the arrests were coordinated by detectives attached to the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit and Crime

Intelligence. “The suspects aged between 16 and 22 were traced and apprehended during a series of well-coordinated operations that followed days of intensive investigation and intelligence-driven efforts.”

The house owner Sisa Mateyisi said he is relieved that there are people who are going to answer for the deed.

“I have mixed feelings about their arrest. I’m happy that there are people who are arrested. At the same time I’m devastated by the incident. Imagine seven people killed in your own house, especially the way they were killed. But, everything depends on the court. I want the law to take its course,” said Mateyisi

However, he expressed his gratitude to the people who supported him by sending messages during the difficult times

Meanwhile, AmaMpondo Prince Sandile Sigcau expressed his anguish and unhappiness about the incident.

Sigcau, together with some members from the amaMpondo nation, visited the

scene of the incident on Saturday 25 October

Sigcau said he visited the scene on behalf of acting King Dumelani ‘Daluxolo’ Sigcau from AmaMpondo Royal House to meet with families of the deceased, since they all come from eMampondweni.

“I met with the families of the deceased. There is nothing concrete for now as we are waiting for the post mortems to be conducted, then we will take it from there As soon as everything is finalised, we will have a way forward,” said Sigcau He stated that all they want is for the law to take its course against the perpetrators He added that it is not clear why they were attacked

“We are hoping that the suspects that have been arrested will tell the court who instructed them to go and kill our children,” he said

Sigcau said four of the deceased are from Flagstaff, one from Lusikisiki, one from Kokstad and one from Ngqeleni,

OnediedandtwoinjuredintaxishootingincidentinStrand

UNATHIOBOSE

Lwandle police registered a murder and two counts of attempted murder following a shooting incident on Monday 27 October

The shooting occurred at 17:00 on the corner of Hlati Drive and Isikolo Street.

Provincial police spokesperson Capt FC van Wyk said a 44-year-old male was shot and fatally wounded.

Two other people, one of them a woman, were taken to a nearby medical facility.

“According to reports from the officers,

they attended to a complaint of a shooting incident where they found a white Toyota Quantum with the victim behind the driver’s seat with multiple gunshot wounds to the head and body

“The circumstances surrounding this shooting incident are under investigation The motive forms part of police investigations.” Ward 86 councillor Xolani Diniso said he was shocked by the incident. He added that it was concerning to the community.

“According to information that I received, the deceased was a taxi owner and one of

the two people injured was a passenger and the woman was a bystander.

“But I can’t tell if the incident was related to the taxi violence or not,” he said He appealed to the taxi bosses to sit down and resolve whatever problems they have within the industry because they affected innocent people.

members watching the taxi at the scene

PHOTO:SUPPLIED

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Open Langa event

UNATHIOBOSE

Hundreds of people from across Cape Town converged on King Langalibalele Drive, Langa, for the Open Langa event on Sunday 26 October. The gathering was organised by Langa activist and founder of the Langa Bicycle Hub Mzikhona Mgedle, together with various local organisations

He described the gathering as an exercise to foster social cohesion, adding it was not the first time they hosted such an event.

“We used to have a similar event called Open Streets in Langa, and I was working for the organisation that organised it. But the organisation decided to stop it due to lack of funds. It had been six years since Open Street was held here, so I decided to revive it and changed the name to Open Langa ”

Mgedle said he planned to organise the event annually for people to feel free and reclaim their streets, albeit for a day, when “the streets are not only for cars and they can walk on them freely without fear. Regarding social cohesion, it is an opportunity for people from different communities in Cape Town can come together and socialise.”

He said civic-minded individuals, activists and local organisations were also striving to create a safe space for young people Ward 52 councillor Thembelani Nyamakazi reiterated Mgedle’s sentiments citing that the event brought good vibes to the area

He said the event was not only for entertainment but also created opportunities for small businesses.

“Small businesses are the main beneficiaries from this event because they are selling food and other products. And by doing that they are trying to boost our local economy. Young people are also enjoying themselves They are playing soccer, netball and others are cycling. They are showing off their talents Everyone is free.”

Nyamakazi said such events gave people hope.

Meat vendor Lunga Klaas, who sold braai meat (pork, beef and sausage) during the event, described it as helpful. “We are making quick money today,” he said “People are enjoying the braai meat, especially the white people They want to taste new food.”

Drivers, bosses go back to school

In a historic move to professionalise the mini-bus taxi (MBT) industry

South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) Western Cape, in partnership with the Western Cape Mobility Department, launched the MBT Executive Leadership Development Programme at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) on Thursday 23 October

The six-month programme brings academic rigour, systems thinking and community-focused transformation together It aims to develop ethical visionary and collaborative leaders to guide the taxi

sector towards a more stable and respected future

Developed by UCT GSB executive education and resolve and change systems (RACS), the programme is the first of its kind to introduce taxi leaders formally into a structured business-school environment

Participants will complete seven modules blending theory with practical application, with a focus on self-leadership, collaboration and innovation

Mandla Hermanus, chair of Santaco Western Cape, described the initiative as long overdue “For too long our industry has been defined by stories of conflict and division The MBT Executive Leadership Development Programme is about rewriting that narrative We are investing in the

Scribante wins Speed Classic

Franco Scribante claimed the King of the Mountain title at the inaugural Speed Classic Cape Town on Sunday 26 October, driving his 2018 Nissan GTR R35 to victory on the closed-off Philip Kgosana Drive in the city.

Scribante set a time of 35,260 seconds on the 1,8km track, finishing 0.599 seconds ahead of Reghard Roets, who drove a 2014 Nissan GTR R35 to second place with a time of 35,859 seconds. Dawie Joubert completed the podium with a time of 37,407 seconds in his Lotus Exige.

Pieter Zeelie, who had regularly topped the timing charts and was in contention for the crown throughout the day on Sunday, suffered a faulty start in his final run during the King of the Mountain shootout, putting him out of contention.

FromFerraristo1000hpmonsters

Close to 80 supercars and hillclimb monsters competed under the shadow of Table Mountain, with cars reaching top speeds of nearly 240km/h.

Sunday’s field included everything from modern Ferraris, McLarens and Lamborghinis to modified single seaters and saloon cars with over 1000hp, while Saturday featured a range of nearly 70 classic

cars – from single seaters steeped in racing history, to modified classic road cars.

“It was a really great day for us. We were absolutely nowhere when we got to the Class Finals, so I knew we would have to dig deep. But I didn’t know if it would be enough, so it was a miracle that it all came together for the final run and I cannot wait to be back again next year,” said Scribante, who had settled for second place on Classic Car Saturday.

BattleoftheClassics

It was Charles Arton that claimed the Classic Champion title on Saturday by setting a winning time of 40,143 in his 1979 March 79A.

Scribante in his Chevron B19, set a time of 40,362 in the Classic Champion finale.

Scribante had broken the 40 second mark in his Class Finals run, which set the grid for the Classic Champion shootout. However, Arton was able to come out ahead of Scribante in the day’s final run.

The podium was rounded out by James Temple, who clocked 43,245 in his Shelby Daytona Coupe. Temple bettered his time of 44,614 in the Class Finals run, but it did not prove to be enough to unseat either Arton or Scribante.

Racing beneath iconic mountain backdrop

Speed Classic Cape Town Race Director

Enzo Kuun described the course as one of the “most scenic tracks in the world.”

“To race with Table Mountain to my right, the Atlantic Ocean to my left and Lion’s Head behind me was an absolute privilege and epic experience,” Kuun said The event attracted close to 15 000 spectators through the gates, with close to 180 000 joining the livestreams across Saturday and Sunday.

Speed Classic Cape Town event director Garth Mackintosh said the event is poised to establish itself as a premier hillclimb event following the successful first weekend.

“To see our vision come to fruition has been extremely satisfying I think you can only get bigger and better from here and we are ready to invest and create a future event that can only go from strength-tostrength,” Mackintosh said The results for both days can be accessed on the Speed Classic Cape Town website