Two Suspects to Appear in Court Over Double Murder Linked to Epping Taxi Violence

Anneliese van der Merwe Published 6 hours ago

8 min read

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Two men aged 27 and 31 are expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 19 October 2026, in connection with the fatal shooting of two taxi owners in Epping, Cape Town.

The suspects were arrested following investigations by the South African Police Service’s Provincial Taxi Violence Unit into the shooting, which occurred on Friday, 16 October 2026, along Fisher Avenue in Epping.

The victims, aged 45 and 46, were killed during the incident, which police believe was linked to ongoing taxi-related violence in the Western Cape.

How the shooting unfolded

According to the initial police account, the victims were travelling in a sedan along Fisher Avenue when their vehicle was allegedly blocked by a Toyota Quantum.

Seven men reportedly got out of the Quantum and opened fire on the occupants of the other vehicle.

Two men sustained fatal gunshot wounds during the attack. Several spent cartridge cases were recovered at the scene as part of the police investigation.

A separate report on the incident indicated that the shooting took place in Epping 1 at approximately 06:00. It stated that the occupants of a grey Audi had been targeted by men who arrived in a white Toyota Quantum. The driver reportedly escaped unharmed, while two passengers were killed.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the identities of those allegedly involved.

Two suspects arrested

Investigations by the Provincial Taxi Violence Unit led to the arrest of two suspects, aged 27 and 31, who are reportedly linked to the taxi industry.

Both suspects face murder charges and are expected to appear in court on Monday, where the case will enter the judicial process.

The arrests represent a development in the investigation into the deaths of the two taxi owners. Police have indicated that their inquiries are continuing and that further arrests may follow.

The full circumstances surrounding the attack, including the motive and the alleged roles of the suspects, remain subject to the ongoing investigation.

Police warn against taxi-related violence

SAPS management in the Western Cape commended the detectives involved in the investigation and the arrests.

Police reiterated that incidents of violence linked to the taxi industry would be addressed through investigations and law-enforcement action.

Taxi-related violence has been a recurring concern in the Western Cape, with disputes within the industry sometimes resulting in shootings and loss of life. However, the specific circumstances and motive behind the Epping attack remain under investigation.

The two accused are due to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 19 October 2026, as police continue working to establish the full circumstances of the double murder.

MORE NEWS

Five Alleged March n March Members Shot During Protest in Dunoon

Five people, including three women and two men, were wounded in a shooting during a protest-related gathering in Dunoon, Cape Town, on Saturday, 17 October 2026.

The shooting occurred at approximately 12:15 at the intersection of Potsdam Road and The Stables Road, where people had gathered in support of the Imbizo Yamadoda march.

According to information reported by police, the five victims sustained gunshot wounds after shots were fired at the gathering. The injured included three women aged 40, 42 and 48, as well as two men aged 35 and 43.

All five victims were transported to hospital for medical treatment. The available information does not indicate the severity of their injuries or whether any of them remain in hospital.

Suspected Extortionists Allegedly Open Fire

Initial reports indicate that suspected extortionists arrived at the scene and allegedly opened fire on the people gathered there.

The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain unclear. Police reportedly said the victims were unable to identify the shooter or explain where the gunshots had come from.

The identity of the person or people responsible has not been established in the available information. The motive for the shooting also remains unclear, and the alleged involvement of extortionists has not been confirmed as an established fact.

Police Investigation

The shooting is being investigated by police. The available report does not confirm whether any suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Investigators will need to establish what happened before and during the shooting, identify those responsible and determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.

The incident left five people requiring medical treatment and raised further concerns about the safety of people attending public gatherings in the area.

Police have not, in the information available, confirmed a motive or announced any arrests related to the shooting.

Germiston Father Arrested After Two Daughters Die in Alleged Family Poisoning

A 34-year-old man has been arrested in Germiston, Gauteng, following the deaths of his two young daughters in an alleged poisoning incident that also left his wife and another daughter affected.

The man faces two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder after allegedly putting sleeping pills into his family’s food, according to information released by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD).

The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, at the family’s home in Germiston.

Two Children Declared Dead at the Scene

The two deceased children were aged one and 11. Both were declared dead at the scene.

The children’s mother and another daughter survived the incident. Authorities have not publicly provided further details about their medical conditions or the treatment they received.

According to the information provided by the EMPD, officers received information alleging that the suspect had mixed sleeping pills into the food intended for his family.

The circumstances surrounding the alleged poisoning, including the events leading up to it and the substance involved, remain subject to investigation.

Suspect Allegedly Fled After Incident

The 34-year-old man allegedly fled following the incident, prompting officers to search for him.

Members of the EMPD’s Community Liaison Unit followed up on information about his whereabouts before locating and arresting him on Thursday, 15 October.

The suspect was reportedly apprehended at the corner of Lambert and Prince streets in Germiston.

The arrest followed efforts to trace the man after authorities received information linking him to the deaths of the two children and the alleged attempted murders of his wife and surviving daughter.

Two Murder Charges and Two Attempted Murder Charges

Following his arrest, the suspect was detained at Germiston Police Station.

The EMPD confirmed that he faces two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of his daughters. He also faces two counts of attempted murder relating to his wife and the surviving daughter.

The charges relate to the allegation that sleeping pills were placed in the family’s food. The full circumstances of the incident and the evidence supporting the allegations will form part of the criminal investigation and subsequent court proceedings.

The suspect is expected to appear before the Germiston Magistrate’s Court.

Investigation and Court Proceedings

The case remains a criminal matter, and the allegations against the 34-year-old man have not been tested in court. His arrest and the charges he faces do not, by themselves, establish guilt.

Further details regarding the investigation, forensic findings and the condition of the surviving family members have not been confirmed in the available police information.

The suspect remains in police custody pending his expected court appearance.

Three Suspects Arrested in Vanderbijlpark Hijacking Syndicate Bust

Three suspects allegedly linked to a criminal network involved in hijackings, vehicle theft, kidnapping and extortion have been arrested following an intelligence-driven operation in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng.

The arrests were made on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, during a joint operation involving law enforcement and private security personnel. A vehicle, an unlicensed firearm, ammunition, cash and three cellphones were recovered during the operation.

The suspects are believed to be linked to a criminal syndicate suspected of involvement in several serious offences, including the hijacking of vehicles, motor vehicle theft, kidnapping and extortion. The extent of their alleged involvement in these crimes has not been detailed in the available information.

Firearm, Ammunition and Cash Recovered

During the operation, officers recovered a Suzuki Bolero and a Ruby .38 Special revolver. The firearm reportedly had its serial numbers filed off, making its identification and tracing more difficult.

Six live rounds of ammunition were also recovered, along with R9,000 in cash and three cellphones.

The items recovered during the operation may form part of the ongoing investigation into the suspects’ alleged links to criminal activities. However, it has not been confirmed whether the vehicle or any of the other recovered items have been directly linked to specific reported crimes.

Joint Operation Involved Law Enforcement and Security Personnel

The operation was conducted through a collaboration between the CI Sedibeng District Aggravated Robbery Team, Vanderbijlpark Visible Policing, Expol Security Tactical Unit and VRU Town Reaction DB77.

The operation was intelligence-driven and targeted suspects allegedly associated with the criminal network.

The arrests and recovery of the firearm, ammunition, cash and other items represent the reported outcome of the coordinated operation in Vanderbijlpark.

Investigation Following the Arrests

The three suspects’ alleged links to hijackings, vehicle theft, kidnapping and extortion remain central to the reported case. Further details regarding specific incidents under investigation, the identities of the suspects, possible additional arrests and any court appearances have not been confirmed in the available information.

The suspects’ arrest does not constitute a conviction, and the allegations against them would need to be tested through the criminal justice process.

The operation took place in Vanderbijlpark on 14 October 2026, with three suspects arrested and several items recovered for potential investigative purposes.