British doctor is killed in Cape Town after he took a wrong turn at the airport and became involved in a violent strike by taxi drivers
- Tourist was with two relatives when he entered Nyanga township
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A British GP has been killed in South Africa after going the wrong way from the airport and becoming involved in violent strikes by taxi drivers.
The 40-year-old doctor was on vacation with two of his relatives when he drove into Cape Town’s Nyanga township, close to the city’s international airport, last Thursday.
A police spokesman confirmed today: ‘The doctor was riding in the vehicle with two other persons.
From the airport he apparently took a wrong turn and headed towards Nyanga. In Ntlangano Crescent, several suspects approached his vehicle, shot him dead. No arrests yet.’
Furious strikes have erupted in the city after police officers began seizing illegal vehicles.
The death comes amid violence in Cape Town in response to police seizing illegal vehicles. Pictured: A resident of Masiphumelele uses a plate as a shield during clashes
Enraged campaigners linked to the influential private taxi industry have thrown stones at cars and buses and set some on fire.
Tourist bosses fear that the angry confrontations will scare away holidaymakers to the country.
The national taxi union has said its members are not inciting violence and others are using the strike as an excuse to launch their own protests.
The Foreign Office said it was “supporting the family of a British man who died in South Africa” and issued a travel warning about the unrest.
A protester blocks the streets with stones and debris during an ongoing strike by taxi companies against traffic authorities
A law enforcement officer fires rubber bullets during their clashes with protesters in Masiphumelele during an ongoing strike by taxi companies
Nyanga is one of the most dangerous places in South Africa where 74 people are killed every day.
The Western Cape Province, which includes Cape Town, has taken a tough stance against the unregulated minibus taxi industry known for bad driving and dangerous vehicles. Millions of workers and schoolchildren have been forced to stay at home. Food delivery has been interrupted.
Geordin Hill-Lewis, the mayor of Cape Town, said he would stand firm against the sector.
Violence will never be tolerated as a negotiating tactic in Cape Town. We reiterate our call to SANTACO (the taxi union) to peacefully return to the negotiating table,” he said.