Kuils River, Cape Town – A taxi driver has been charged following a road rage incident that occurred on Friday morning on Hindle Road, involving a collision with a private vehicle and subsequent assault. The event, captured on video by the victim’s wife, shows the driver damaging the motorist’s car and attempting to access the passenger compartment where a woman and infant were seated.
The victim, identified as 27-year-old Sedick Adams, was driving with his wife and their six-month-old daughter when the taxi, operated by Mawethu Tapuko, forced its way in front of their vehicle at a traffic light, clipping the front bumper and causing damage to the headlight. Adams exited his car to inspect the damage, at which point Tapuko approached and punched him in the face. Additional taxi drivers gathered around Adams as he attempted to return to his vehicle.
Tapuko then tried to open the passenger door, kicked the door, smashed both side mirrors, and shattered the driver’s side window. The wife, who was holding the baby, recorded the altercation. Bystanders intervened, allowing the family to drive away to safety. The damage to the vehicle exceeded R20,000.
Tapuko, a member of the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) and based in Mfuleni, was handed over to police by the association after an internal investigation. Codeta condemned the incident and stated it would not support violent behavior, emphasizing a commitment to a violence-free industry.
On December 8, 2025, Tapuko appeared in the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court on charges of assault and malicious damage to property. Police have confirmed an ongoing investigation into the assault case.
Broader Context of Taxi Violence in the Western Cape
Taxi-related violence has persisted as a significant issue in Cape Town and the Western Cape, often stemming from disputes between associations over routes and operations. In early 2024, a resurgence targeted members of the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata), resulting in at least 12 deaths, including eight drivers, three owners, and one commuter, alongside over 17 shooting incidents. By mid-2025, conflicts between Cata and Codeta escalated further, particularly over the M18 route from Mfuleni to Somerset West, leading to a mass shooting at the Mfuleni taxi rank on June 6, 2025, where four people were killed and three injured. This incident was followed by additional killings, bringing the total to at least seven operators dead from both sides in related gun violence.
Tensions also flared between taxi operators and city authorities, as seen in a March 4, 2025, altercation where traffic officers subdued a driver, sparking protests and criminal charges. In September 2025, mounting gun violence claimed at least a dozen lives in a week, prompting the Western Cape government to close selected taxi routes for 30 days under Section 91 of the National Land Transport Act. Overall, 43 people were shot dead in taxi conflicts in the first half of 2025, with nearly 100 arrests and 40 cases on court rolls. These events underscore ongoing rivalries, including arson attacks on public transport and extortion, affecting commuters who rely on minibus taxis as the primary mode of transport.
