WC police link murders of 9 people in Muizenberg, Mfuleni to extortion, taxi violence

CAPE TOWN - Western Cape police have linked the murders of nine people in Muizenberg and Mfuleni to extortion and taxi violence.  

Three people, including a 16-year-old boy, were shot dead in separate attacks on Saturday in Muizenberg, while six people were killed the following day in an alleged extortion-related shooting at an informal settlement in Mfuleni.  

Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile said that more officers have been deployed to address the violence.  

"We are deploying in those areas to ensure that we stabilise the areas. But we are seeing a new phenomenon where taxis are fighting with the gangs, and it started in Vrygrond, and we want to contain that. It's not clear whether it's the issue of gangs owning taxis and now there's a taxi conflict between the taxi owners and those owned by the gangs. We are still looking into that one."