Christopher Jonas
May 15, 2007
Johannesberg, South Africa

The Citizen
(Johannesburg, South Africa)
May 15, 2007

Driver of sedan taxi slain in row over loading bay

JOHANNESBURG - The driver of a metered taxi has been shot 
dead in a row over a loading bay, sparking fears of a taxi war 
over turf other than minibus routes, the Cape Times reported on 
Tuesday.

The victim, Christopher Jonas, insulted another driver's mother 
during the heated argument over parking just after noon in the 
metered taxis' loading zone in Adderley Street, next to the Cape 
Town station.

Stanley Johnson, a taxi driver who saw the shooting, said Jonas 
had parked and was waiting for customers, when the other driver 
decided to park in a spot ahead of other taxis in the queue.

"This angered (Jonas)... and the two started arguing."

After shooting Jonas, the other man put his gun down on the 
lawn flanking the pavement and gave himself up.

The police's Siphokazi Mawisa said Jonas, from Gugulethu, was 
wounded in the head and arm. He died at the scene.

A 34-year-old man from Milnerton had been arrested.

The chairman of the Western Cape Metered Taxi Council, 
Nelson Jumba, said the shooting was because of tensions and 
fierce competition arising from the large number of permits 
issued by the Western Cape Operating Licensing Board.

He said the number of permits issued had led to overtrading.
"The reason this happened is frustration with the (board). They 
are issuing base permits without consultation with the industry. 
There is just no space for all the people. People get frustrated 
and want to work at the ranks."

Jumba said the association and the department of transport had 
signed a memorandum of agreement, but it was ineffective.

"We have no power. The treatment we receive from the 
department is not up to standard -- they don't treat us like they 
treat (minibus operators). Tensions will arise. We appeal to the 
industry to be calm."

Jumba said representatives of the metered taxis' council would 
meet the department's dispute resolution unit on Tuesday.

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