Police have arrested 11 suspects following a violent altercation between members of rival taxi associations at a taxi rank in Pinelands, Cape Town, on Monday.
The suspects, believed to be taxi drivers, allegedly threw bricks at one another during the confrontation.
Police spokesperson Ndakhe Gwala said Public Order Police were deployed to the scene following reports of violence.
“According to reports, members of rival taxi associations were throwing bricks at each other. Eleven suspects were arrested for public violence and intimidation,” Gwala said.
She added that one of the suspects was found in possession of a firearm and was also charged with contravening a court order.
The incident comes amid ongoing efforts to address escalating taxi violence in the Western Cape.
Last week, the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) committed to working with authorities to resolve their differences.
The two associations met with representatives from the provincial Mobility Department, the City of Cape Town and the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) following a recent spike in taxi-related violence that claimed several lives.
Further engagements between the stakeholders are expected to take place this week.