Calls for end taxi violence and extortion

Ward 71 councillor, Carolynne Franklin

It is with a heavy heart that I am moved to pen this letter with a call for calm and an end to extortion and gangsterism in Ward 71, and beyond.

Many of us have been buffered by the extreme violence and increase in assassinations that have been taking place in surrounding areas of the City, even if they are but 1-2 kilometers from the suburbs in which we reside.

We can no longer turn a blind eye to these gruesome murders.

I give my thanks to the Westlake Taxi Association for the meeting early this morning, Wednesday, April 9, in which we discussed the killing of a driver, and the critical injuries sustained by his passengers on Main Road, Kirstenhof on the night of Tuesday, April 8. They join me in requesting for an increased SAPS and Anti-Gang Unit presence.

This morning, I have also asked for an increased high visibility deployment of City-funded LEAP and Law Enforcement Officers in the area via formal channels and am liaising with adjoining ward councillors in affected areas as well to see how we can support one another and pool resources.

Please join me in sending prayers and thoughts to those who live with this violence daily, where families sleep under beds every night, where schools are inaccessible, and where taxi ranks are deserted. The negative impact on our mental well-being, safety, work opportunities, and on the entire city cannot be under-estimated. Even one death is one too many.

I will continue to call on SAPS to increase resources to Kirstenhof Police Station, to train and upskill members, and to work together with rate-funded City Enforcement services to quell this scourge of killings.

It is worth noting that the current City Draft Budget for 2025/2026 makes provision for six (6) full-time Metro Police Officers per ward. Not a moment too soon.