|
|
|
|
|
14 February 2025
|
13 taxis, four sprinter buses and a car burned at Nyanga taxi rank, Cape Town
|
|
More than fifteen taxis were destroyed in a fire at the Nyanga taxi rank in Cape Town as a result of the ongoing Cape Amalgamated Taxi association (CATA) in-fighting on Sunday, 9 February 2025. Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson at the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service, said, “Fire and Rescue Service received the call about the fires at the Nyanga taxi rank at approximately 22h30. Several taxis, Sprinter buses and a private vehicle were alight when crews arrived on the scene.”
“The following fire stations responded: Landsdowne with one fire engine with five firefighters, Epping with one water tanker with two firefighters and a fire engine with five firefighters, Gugulethu with one fire engine with five firefighters and Mitchells Plain with one fire engine, a water tanker and seven firefighters”, said Carelse.
“Staff had to act quickly to minimise the spread and damages as a result of the fire. Their efforts to extinguish the fire were hampered by strong winds but they managed to extinguish the fires at 23h40. A number of vehicles were destroyed in the incident, which included 13 taxis, four sprinter buses and a civilian vehicle. No injuries were reported”, he added.
“Challenges faced included that crews had to navigate around the taxi rank and whilst firefighting staff had to be cognisant of possible explosions ie fuel tanks of the vehicles”, said Carelse.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) secretary Ryno Saaiers said they were deeply concerned about the incident of vehicle arson and all acts of violence. “We are urging all parties involved to come to the table and talk about their issues as we would like to ensure the safety of the commuters. The investigation will be left in the hands of the law enforcement.”
Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said additional police have been deployed to the Nyanga taxi rank following the incident. “Local police and fire services were called out to the taxi hub after flames were seen coming from some vehicles. Official reports also indicate that three minibus taxis were completely destroyed and 13 damaged as a result of the fire that is probed by police. A case of arson is being investigated by SAPS detectives and no arrests have been effected yet. The deployed forces will remain in the area until calm is restored. Meanwhile the taxi rank remains open for commuters.”
Source: Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service, Cape Argus
“The following fire stations responded: Landsdowne with one fire engine with five firefighters, Epping with one water tanker with two firefighters and a fire engine with five firefighters, Gugulethu with one fire engine with five firefighters and Mitchells Plain with one fire engine, a water tanker and seven firefighters”, said Carelse.
“Staff had to act quickly to minimise the spread and damages as a result of the fire. Their efforts to extinguish the fire were hampered by strong winds but they managed to extinguish the fires at 23h40. A number of vehicles were destroyed in the incident, which included 13 taxis, four sprinter buses and a civilian vehicle. No injuries were reported”, he added.
“Challenges faced included that crews had to navigate around the taxi rank and whilst firefighting staff had to be cognisant of possible explosions ie fuel tanks of the vehicles”, said Carelse.
The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) secretary Ryno Saaiers said they were deeply concerned about the incident of vehicle arson and all acts of violence. “We are urging all parties involved to come to the table and talk about their issues as we would like to ensure the safety of the commuters. The investigation will be left in the hands of the law enforcement.”
Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said additional police have been deployed to the Nyanga taxi rank following the incident. “Local police and fire services were called out to the taxi hub after flames were seen coming from some vehicles. Official reports also indicate that three minibus taxis were completely destroyed and 13 damaged as a result of the fire that is probed by police. A case of arson is being investigated by SAPS detectives and no arrests have been effected yet. The deployed forces will remain in the area until calm is restored. Meanwhile the taxi rank remains open for commuters.”
Source: Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service, Cape Argus