Parliament, Tuesday, 14 January 2025 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Mr Ian Cameron, condemns the shooting incident this morning at the Nyanga Terminus, a transport hub in the area. The incident led to the death of one person, and seven people were injured.
The Chairperson condemned the incident, calling it abhorrent as it placed the lives of an inordinate number of people in danger and could have resulted in a high casualty rate. “Violence within the taxi industry has always been a concern across the country, and the inclination to settle disputes through violence is unwarranted. Township communities depend on taxis and buses, which use the terminus as a place of business, so the shooting directly affects people and the economy,” Mr Cameron said.
It is unacceptable that public areas such as taxi ranks are replete with illicit firearms that have the potential to cause mass causalities. The Chairperson has called on taxi operators to prioritise the safety of commuters, which is a critical pillar of the substance of the industry. In line with this, the Chairperson raised concern that 13 rifles and seven handguns were confiscated. “Firearms are weapons used in most murders in South Africa, and the confiscation of such high calibre firearms highlights the need for enhanced strategies to rid the country and the industry of firearms,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson welcomed the speedy response by members of the South African Police Service to the scene, which prevented further loss of life. Mr Cameron stressed the strategic importance of enhancing the Crime Intelligence unit to ensure that such incidents are prevented before they happen.
The Chairperson has called on the police to investigate the reasons behind the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. Also, the Chairperson has called on the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) to expedite the verification process to ascertain the legality of the confiscated firearms and the security companies involved, as this can help the investigation.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON POLICE, MR IAN CAMERON.
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