---
title: "In photos — Sporadic violence, death in Cape Town as taxi strike spirals out of control"
description: "Two dead, motorists attacked, buses torched, and taxis impounded. If there is no breakthrough in talks, the protest action by taxis will end only on Thursday."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "GROUNDUP"
author: "Ashraf Hendricks"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/ashraf-hendricks/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-08-07-in-photos-sporadic-violence-death-in-cape-town-as-taxi-strike-spirals-out-of-control/"
published: "2023-08-07T15:24:14"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 243
---

# In photos — Sporadic violence, death in Cape Town as taxi strike spirals out of control

> Two dead, motorists attacked, buses torched, and taxis impounded. If there is no breakthrough in talks,  the protest action by taxis will end only on Thursday.

By Ashraf Hendricks · Published 7 August 2023, 17:24 SAST

## Key points
- The fifth day of the Western Cape taxi strike ended with two fatalities, as altercations between motorists and protesters near Cape Town International Airport took an unfortunate turn.
- Two people killed in separate incidents near Cape Town International Airport.
- Altercations between motorists and protesters on the fifth day of the taxi strike.
- Ten buses torched since the strike began.
- Police patrolling streets in Crossroads.

## Content

Police on Monday 7 August confirmed that two people have been killed in separate incidents near Cape Town International Airport. This follows altercations between motorists and protesters on the fifth day of the taxi strike across Cape Town.

**Read more in Daily Maverick:**[Day 5 – Two people killed in two incidents near airport as Western Cape taxi strike continues](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-08-07-cape-taxi-strike-day-5-one-person-dies-near-airport/)

![A dead person lies on Airport Approach road. According to police, a driver retaliated after being pelted with stones. The driver fired several shots, killing one person and injuring three. There is a widely circulated video on social media apparently showing the incident but we cannot verify its contents. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/xazthtFVUcO6KbTYtAmL7Az1PGk=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/taxistrike-20230807-6v2a1345hr.jpg)

*A dead person lies on Airport Approach road. According to police, a driver retaliated after being pelted with stones. The driver fired several shots, killing one person and injuring three. There is a widely circulated video on social media apparently showing the incident but we cannot verify its contents. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)*

![A dead person lies at the N2 and Borcherds Quarry intersection. Details of the incident are unknown. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/c0bAq0gM7LZiSHwPLo3W96d6zxA=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/taxistrike-20230807-6v2a1616hr.jpg)

*A dead person lies at the N2 and Borcherds Quarry intersection. Details of the incident are unknown. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)*

![Children play netball next to a burnt out car near the entrance to Crossroads. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/J8s4_77NkbXKmHmB5wub1kHuFMY=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/taxistrike-20230807-6v2a1636hr.jpg)

*Children play netball next to a burnt out car near the entrance to Crossroads. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)*

![Burnt buses are removed from the N2 and Borcherds Quarry intersection. Golden Arrow spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer is on record stating 10 buses have been torched since the taxi strike began on Thursday afternoon. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/C8EBVOsElEpFSbGrHt5vt1KsP1w=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/taxistrike-20230807-6v2a1582hr.jpg)

*Burnt buses are removed from the N2 and Borcherds Quarry intersection. Golden Arrow spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer is on record stating 10 buses have been torched since the taxi strike began on Thursday afternoon. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)*

![(Police patrol in Crossroads. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/fnHwZb29VCzYkGthbkOeUBq7q-A=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/taxistrike-20230807-6v2a1554hr.jpg)

*(Police patrol in Crossroads. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)*

![Police patrol in Crossroads. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/oscR6R52J27n31_QmRPGle7og9M=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/taxistrike-20230807-6v2a1537hr.jpg)

*Police patrol the streets in Crossroads. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)*

![A burnt out vehicle at Borcherds Quarry Road at the entrance to Crossroads. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/N5cHCHMbVSfGvOHDbQcyp95bZbo=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/taxistrike-20230807-6v2a1489hr.jpg)

*A burnt out vehicle at Borcherds Quarry Road at the entrance to Crossroads. (Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)*

![Taxis are impounded and removed at the Airport Approach road. The taxi drivers had removed their number plates.(Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/R9ZpyW8qvYRYoNC_CDXv31QmRrI=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/taxistrike-20230807-6v2a1388hr.jpg)

*Taxis are impounded and removed at the Airport Approach road. The taxi drivers had removed their number plates.(Photo: Ashraf Hendricks)*

**DM**

*First published by*[*GroundUp*](https://groundup.org.za/article/in-photos-violence-marks-taxi-strike/)*.*