Two metro police officers in Cape Town have been threatened in relation to the ongoing minibus taxi violence in Nyanga, the City of Cape Town said on Wednesday.

“A staff member residing in Philippi East was informed of threats to torch his patrol vehicle if it was found at his residence,” Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith told News24 via e-mail.

“Another staff member was threatened at her home in Gugulethu. We arranged for her to be moved to alternative accommodation to ensure her safety.

“There was also an incident this morning [Wednesday] where shots were fired at a Metro Police Tactical Response Unit vehicle at the Nyanga taxi rank.”

No injuries were reported in the shooting, while staff members in the area were placed on high alert, Smith added.

The Western Cape police department could not immediately comment on the incidents.

Nyanga riots

News24 reported on Tuesday that numerous roads in the Nyanga area were closed following a “riotous” situation that required police intervention, according to Western Cape police.

The tension in Nyanga came to a head after a few taxi operators resisted an enforcement operation by the City of Cape Town to clamp down on illegal taxi operations.

Golden Arrow bus services confirmed in a statement that two of its buses had been set alight on Tuesday, and a third was stoned in the riots. Minor injuries were reported.

Lieutenant Colonel Andre Traut told News24 that public violence case dockets would be registered.

Impounded

A total of 16 vehicles were impounded during the operation, Smith had said on Tuesday. Of the 16, 15 drivers did not possess valid operating licences.

A further 36 drivers had no drivers licences, while 51 warrants were issued, valued at R52 700.

“I condemn the actions of the taxi drivers in the strongest terms,” Smith continued.

“We cannot condone this type of behaviour, as it is aimed at intimidating and undermining our enforcement efforts.

“I have said it before and I will say it again: no one is above the law and we will not allow this thuggish behaviour to derail our efforts at ensuring safer roads through compliance in the public transport industry.” News24