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8 months ago
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Three people died and six sustained gunshot wounds during a taxi-related fight in Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape.
- One of the six people who was shot at a local taxi rank on Tuesday morning was an 11-year-old boy.
- A video taken at the scene shows a torched vehicle and two men lying in a pool of blood next to a stationary white van as bystanders mill around.
- Premier Oscar Mabuyane said the warring associations were Uncedo Taxi Association and Border Taxi Alliance.
Three people were killed and six sustained gunshot wounds during taxi-related violence in Port St Johns, Eastern Cape.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said one of the six people who was shot at a local taxi rank on Tuesday morning was an 11-year-old boy.
Naidu added the three murder victims were security officials from a taxi association in Lusikisiki.
She said three vehicles were torched during the violence.
"Multi-disciplinary forces are on the ground. Nine suspects have been arrested. Police will remain in the area until the situation stabilises."
READ | Shooting between two Taxi Associations has brought the entire town to a standstill
A video taken at the scene shows a torched vehicle and two men lying in a pool of blood next to a stationary white van as bystanders mill around.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nomthetheleli Mene appealed for calm from the warring associations.
"Such lawlessness will not be tolerated as innocent lives are at risk.
"We call on all stakeholders to come forward and engage in constructive discussions and urgently find a solution to avoid further loss of lives," she said.
Premier Oscar Mabuyane said the warring associations were Uncedo Taxi Association and Border Taxi Alliance.
The premier called for calm to ensure civilian safety.
"What we are witnessing in Port St Johns is anarchy of the highest order. Law enforcement authorities have been deployed to restore normality in the area," said Mabuyane.
