Prominent Hout Bay taxi operator Samkelo “Gary” Krweqe was arrested after a taxi driver was shot and killed in Camps Bay last weekend.
Tensions between the Hout Bay-Wynberg Taxi Association and drivers associated with the Congress for Democratic Taxi Associations (Codeta) have spilled over this year, with regular clashes over the Hout Bay-Cape Town route (“City will not budge on taxi route,” Sentinel, June 29).
Several drivers have been killed as the violence has escalated.
Mr Krweqe, 46, a member of the Hout Bay-Wynberg Taxi Association, is a prominent figure in the local taxi industry.
According to provincial police spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel André Traut, a 44-year-oldman was shot and killed in Victoria Road, Camps Bay at about 6pm on Saturday September 8 in what police believe to be a “taxi-related altercation”.
“The suspect, a 46-year-old man, was arrested and his licensed firearm was confiscated,” Colonel Traut said. Three other suspects were held for questioning but were later released.
Mr Krweqe was denied bail when he appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday September 10. He is remanded in custody at Pollsmoor Prison.
Mr Krweqe’s girlfriend of 21 years, Monica Khwatshube, said she was shocked to learn of his arrest.
“I don’t know all the details. I just heard that four guys in a private car were chasing him. Then they shot at him, and he shot back. But I’m hearing different stories,” she said.
She had not seen Mr Krweqe yet, but intended visiting him at Pollsmoor tomorrow, Saturday September 15.
Hout Bay-Wynberg Taxi Association vice-chairman, Shakes Tyhopolwana, who is currently in the Eastern Cape, said he was aware Mr Krweqe had been arrested, but he did not know the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Sources familiar with the case said it appeared Mr Krweqe had become involved in a scuffle with another driver.
There is speculation that men in a silver vehicle tailed Mr Krweqe’s minibus taxi, and forced him to pull over.
The men allegedly told him that he was not allowed to drive the route, and removed the keys from his minibus. That was when the tussle broke out with one of the men.
The sources said Mr Krweqe was claiming self defence. A photograph from the scene shows Mr Krweqe speaking with police. Another shows the body of the dead man covered with a tarp.
