SANTACO Denounces Escalating Taxi Violence in Delft; Deploys "Peace Ambassadors" to Mediate Growing Conflict

SANTACO condemns the recent deadly taxi violence in Delft, Cape Town, and announces the deployment of 32 Peace Ambassadors to prevent further conflict.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 10:46 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Eyewitness News

A Week of Bloodshed in Delft

The community of Delft in Cape Town has been rocked by a brutal wave of taxi-related violence, leaving five people dead in less than a week. The most recent incident occurred on Monday evening near the Palm Taxi Rank, where a rank manager and a woman were fatally shot. This followed a previous shooting at the Voorbrug Taxi Rank that resulted in three fatalities. These events have reignited fears of a full-scale "taxi war" in the Western Cape, as operators and commuters alike navigate an increasingly volatile environment. The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has moved quickly to distance the industry from these criminal acts, stating that violence cannot be allowed to define their operations.

The Taxi Peace Ambassador Programme

In an effort to curb the violence through non-violent intervention, SANTACO has announced the strengthening of its Taxi Peace Ambassador Programme. SANTACO spokesperson Makhosandile Tumana confirmed that 32 ambassadors have been appointed across the Western Cape to serve as the organization's eyes and ears on the ground. These ambassadors are tasked with identifying potential flashpoints and disputes before they escalate into armed confrontations. Tumana emphasized that while these individuals do not replace law enforcement or association leadership, their role in mediation and dialogue is a critical component of the industry’s internal conflict-prevention strategy.

Collaboration Between Industry and Law Enforcement

The latest surge in violence has prompted urgent calls for a unified front between taxi associations, the public, and law enforcement agencies. SANTACO has urged industry leaders and operators to cooperate fully with police investigations to ensure that those responsible for the Delft shootings are brought to justice. The organization maintains that sustainable peace can only be achieved if criminal elements within the sector are identified and removed. This plea for cooperation comes as authorities face mounting pressure to increase surveillance and security presence at high-risk taxi ranks across the Cape Flats.