Police in Cape Town have confiscated 20 firearms after a shooting broke out at Nyanga taxi rank on Tuesday morning, January 14. The violence happened during a confrontation between two groups from the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA). 
Police believe the conflict is about money, though it’s unclear if it involves extortion or collection fees.
“Part of it will be extortion because it is about money. We are investigating what this money is, this money that is always a problem with taxis. Whether it is extortion money or collection money or bucket money what they call it, we are going to be investigating but the issue is about the money. Seems to me that this money is the borne of contention,” said Patekile.
Investigations are ongoing. The shootout happened between security guards hired by the rival groups within CATA. The security companies are not from Western Cape province.
One guard died at the scene, and seven others were rushed to the hospital. “This fight is clearly about money. We are investigating what exactly caused the dispute,” said police commissioner Thembisile Patekile. 
Residents nearby said they heard multiple gunshots coming from the taxi rank. “It was scary. You could tell it wasn’t just one gun, but many,” said a local resident.
CATA spokesman Nkululeko Sityebi said they are having a meeting this afternoon regarding the incident. He can only speak to the media after the meeting.
Brigadier Novela Potelwa confirmed that 13 rifles and seven handguns were seized. She said 19 security guards are being questioned as part of the investigation. 
According to Potelwa, police units were already monitoring the area when the shooting started, preventing further violence. Officers are now patrolling the area to ensure commuters’ safety.
The investigation is being handled by the provincial taxi task team, and police are working with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) to verify if the security guards and their firearms are registered and legal.