Fifteen Interrogated After KZN Taxi Violence as Police Seize Cache of Firearms
Viable News Team 
KwaDabeka, KwaZulu-Natal – Tensions between the traditional taxi industry and e-hailing drivers flared up again this week when an e-hailing service driver was assaulted and another narrowly escaped death after being shot at in KwaDabeka, near Pinetown.
Following a swift police operation, 15 taxi drivers and owners were taken in for questioning. The incident has once again cast a spotlight on the volatile relationship between the two transport sectors, which has escalated into violence in many parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng over the past few years.
According to police, a taxi owner suspected of firing the shot presented himself at a local station, accompanied by his attorney. This development forms part of an ongoing investigation into the clashes, which are being described as “a serious threat to public safety.”
Firearms Recovered in Police Sweep
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda confirmed that a significant cache of firearms was recovered during the operation. Among the weapons were three AK-47 assault rifles firearms that point to the increasing militarisation of conflicts within the taxi industry.
In addition, Netshiunda revealed that:
- Eight licensed firearms were seized from the home of one taxi owner, who now faces charges for failing to safeguard his weapons in terms of the Firearms Control Act.
- Four more firearms were confiscated from other individuals, bringing the total to 12, all of which will be sent for ballistic analysis to determine whether they have been used in other violent crimes.
Despite the arrests and seizures, Netshiunda insisted the situation in KwaDabeka was “calm,” with law enforcement maintaining a visible presence on the ground. “Police will endeavor to convene a meeting between the taxi industry and e-hailing services to reach a consensus,” he added.
E-Hailing Drivers Fear for Their Lives
The incident has heightened concerns among e-hailing drivers, many of whom say they are being deliberately targeted. Speaking through the E-hailing Council, drivers have expressed frustration at what they describe as a “lack of regulation in the industry”, which they believe has created fertile ground for hostility and unprovoked attacks.
“Drivers don’t feel safe anymore,” one operator said anonymously. “We are simply trying to make an honest living, but every day feels like a gamble.”
Government Steps In
The provincial government has acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. KZN Transport and Human Settlements spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya confirmed that a high-level meeting between a local taxi association and the e-hailing council has been scheduled for tomorrow morning.
The meeting is expected to address the deepening rift between the two groups, which compete fiercely for passengers in densely populated areas. With both industries employing thousands and providing vital transport to communities, the stakes remain high.
A Pattern of Violence
This is not the first time such incidents have rocked KwaZulu-Natal. Violence linked to the taxi industry has a long history in the province, often spilling into public spaces with deadly consequences. The introduction of e-hailing platforms in South Africa has only intensified the competition, as passengers increasingly opt for app-based services due to convenience and safety features.
But taxi operators argue that e-hailing drivers enjoy unfair advantages, claiming they operate outside strict regulatory frameworks that the minibus taxi sector has to comply with. This friction has often translated into violent confrontations, with innocent passengers sometimes caught in the crossfire.
A Call for Lasting Solutions
Community leaders and transport analysts argue that the latest incident underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive regulatory framework that addresses the concerns of both industries. Without decisive action, they warn, KwaZulu-Natal risks descending into a cycle of recurring violence that undermines public trust in the transport system.
For now, residents of KwaDabeka are cautiously optimistic that tomorrow’s talks will yield concrete solutions. But with heavily armed actors involved and livelihoods on the line, the path to peace between taxis and e-hailing services may prove difficult.
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