Murder of police officer, who's also a taxi business owner, puts spotlight on officers involved in the industry

CAPE TOWN - The murder of a police officer who's also a taxi business owner has put a spotlight on officers involved in the taxi business.

The 42-year-old constable was shot and killed in Lwandle near Somerset West earlier in September.

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The attack is believed to be linked to a dispute between the two rival taxi associations, Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) and Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association) CODETA, over routes from Khayelitsha and Mfuleni to Somerset West.

However, there's no direct link of police involvement in the shootings, which has led to the killing of several taxi operators and commuters.

According to the South African Police Service Act, police officers are not allowed to own or operate minibus taxis to protect the integrity of the service.

Thelaw also ensures that officers are not policing industries in which they have a vested financial interest in.

It also prevents potential conflicts of interest, especially when addressing violent route disputes that they must police.

Provincial Police Commissioner Thembislie Patekile said officers found to have contravened this law will be dealt with.

"We do not tolerate any taxi owner in the police, whether it’s a police officer who wants to be a taxi owner or a taxi owner who wants to be in the police. They cannot continue working with the police."

Several taxi routes will be closed for a month from Wednesday as a measure to stop the taxi-related killings.