A 40-year-old British doctor was shot dead in front of his family in a township near Cape Town International Airport on Wednesday, making him the latest victim of the violent taxi strike wreaking havoc on communities across the Western Cape this week.
Kar Hao Teoh, described by the hospital he worked at as "as a kind, gentle person, a dedicated and talented surgeon, and a rising star," was driving a rental car when he took a wrong turn and ended up in Nyanga. The township is located 20km southeast of the city center, and has long been one of the deadliest areas in all of South Africa.
According to AlgoaFM, as Teoh drove down Ntlangano Crescent into Nyanga with his wife, two-year-old son, and another relative, a group of armed men approached the vehicle.
A spokeswoman for police minister Bheki Cele explained that Teoh was shot in the head by one of the men, and died at the scene. She added that "two passengers in shock and an infant were transported to hospital for medical treatment."
British authorities have warned tourists to delay traveling to Cape Town, and to take extra precautions if a visit is necessary, especially in the areas along the N2, which connects the city with the airport.
"These strikes have the potential to turn violent and may impact multiple areas including journeys to and from the airport," the travel advisory states. "Check for any disruption on your route before travelling, avoid violent protests and try to stick to major routes."
It goes on to urge potential visitors to "be aware that GPS services could divert you into less secure areas or into ongoing protests."
The situation has impacted many areas of the Cape, but the eastern townships and the N2 have been hardest hit. It was deemed so unsafe in Khayelitsha, for example, that President Cyril Ramaphosa canceled an event he was scheduled to attend on Women's Day.
Violence broke out across the Cape Town metropolitan area on Saturday amid ongoing tensions between the government and the South African National Taxi Council. Santaco has moved to take the government to court over what the group claimed was an unfair targeting of taxis and minibuses under the National Land Transport Act, which requires that vehicles be impounded if they or their operators are found to be in violation of a number of conditions related to safe driving.
Minibuses and taxis are the number one method of public transport on the Cape, serving thousands each day, mainly those traveling to and from townships.
Kar Hao Teoh, described by the hospital he worked at as "as a kind, gentle person, a dedicated and talented surgeon, and a rising star," was driving a rental car when he took a wrong turn and ended up in Nyanga. The township is located 20km southeast of the city center, and has long been one of the deadliest areas in all of South Africa.
According to AlgoaFM, as Teoh drove down Ntlangano Crescent into Nyanga with his wife, two-year-old son, and another relative, a group of armed men approached the vehicle.
A spokeswoman for police minister Bheki Cele explained that Teoh was shot in the head by one of the men, and died at the scene. She added that "two passengers in shock and an infant were transported to hospital for medical treatment."
British authorities have warned tourists to delay traveling to Cape Town, and to take extra precautions if a visit is necessary, especially in the areas along the N2, which connects the city with the airport.
"These strikes have the potential to turn violent and may impact multiple areas including journeys to and from the airport," the travel advisory states. "Check for any disruption on your route before travelling, avoid violent protests and try to stick to major routes."
It goes on to urge potential visitors to "be aware that GPS services could divert you into less secure areas or into ongoing protests."
The situation has impacted many areas of the Cape, but the eastern townships and the N2 have been hardest hit. It was deemed so unsafe in Khayelitsha, for example, that President Cyril Ramaphosa canceled an event he was scheduled to attend on Women's Day.
Violence broke out across the Cape Town metropolitan area on Saturday amid ongoing tensions between the government and the South African National Taxi Council. Santaco has moved to take the government to court over what the group claimed was an unfair targeting of taxis and minibuses under the National Land Transport Act, which requires that vehicles be impounded if they or their operators are found to be in violation of a number of conditions related to safe driving.
Minibuses and taxis are the number one method of public transport on the Cape, serving thousands each day, mainly those traveling to and from townships.
Premier Alan Winde and Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis met with Santaco representatives on Thursday and presented a reasonable proposal. Santaco has since accepted the resolution, thus putting an (offical) end to the strike.
