Police officers wanting to get into taxi industry warned to stay in service or be shown the door

CAPE TOWN - As investigations into taxi-related shootings continue in the Western Cape, the province's police management says there's a zero-tolerance policy for its members to be involved in the taxi business.

This after a policeman affiliated to the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) was shot dead by unknown gunmen earlier this month.

By law, police officers are not allowed to be involved in the taxi business.

However, there's no direct link to police involvement in the recent taxi killings in the Cape.

Provincial Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile said they were not aware of the 42-year-old policeman's involvement in the taxi industry.

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

He said police members looking to start a business on the side must apply to the National Police Commissioner.

Patekile adds that the business has to be a lawful one.

"But in the absence of that and we find that you've been involved in illicit or unwanted business like the taxis, which are the sources of conflict in this country, we deal with you departmentally and we have dismissed many."

He adds that police officers are expected to declare annually all the extra income they make.

Meanwhile, Patekile says any SAPS member found to be involved in the taxi business will be dismissed.

"It's a strong message to say they must desist from doing it. Either you choose between the police, or you go into business. You still have a choice, but if we find you, then we are going to dismiss you."