Police have launched an investigation after three taxis were set alight at the Nyanga taxi rank terminus on Saturday night.
The Toyota Quantums belonged to the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association, known as Cata.
Cata secretary Nkululeko Sityebi confirmed that three taxis were torched.
He said the vehicles had been parked overnight at the terminus when they were targeted.
“We can confirm that three taxis were torched,” Sityebi said.
He said Cata was still unsure what led to the incident.
Cata says motive unclear
Sityebi said the association does not yet know the circumstances around the attack.
He said, at this stage, Cata believes the incident may be isolated and not linked to taxi conflict.
“We do believe for now that it is an isolated incident, but we are in communication with the police, who will determine the motive behind this incident,” he said.
Taxi violence and route disputes have previously caused concern in parts of Cape Town.
But in this case, Cata has not confirmed any link to broader industry tensions.
Police open investigation
Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that officers were alerted while on patrol.
He said SAPS members received information from CYCLOPS operators about a fire at the Nyanga taxi rank at about 10.30pm.
When officers arrived, they found three taxis burning.
According to Van Wyk, the vehicles were parked on the Bellville side of the rank.
Police have registered a malicious damage to property case.
“The circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation,” Van Wyk said.
No injuries reported
The City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services also responded to the fire.
Spokesperson Jermaine Carelse confirmed that no injuries were reported.
He said the cause of the fire remains unknown at this stage.
The investigation will now focus on how the fire started and who may have been responsible.
Police are expected to determine whether the attack was linked to a specific dispute or whether it was an isolated act of damage.