THE fight over routes in Brakpan is hotting up after four taxi owners were shot dead and six people were injured yesterday.
Nine people have died in the fight that started in Tsakane, Ekurhuleni, last month.
The dead include taxi drivers and owners and security guards.
People who live on High Street and Wenden Avenue in Brakpan said they were woken by gunfire.
The taxi owners tried to run away but apparently were chased by security guards who work for Ingonyama VIP Security Services.
But cops cornered the guards in Prince George Street and arrested them.
Eight security guards could be seen lying on the ground.
Their van was parked not far from where they were lying near Brakpan taxi rank.
It isn’t clear if the battle started at the rank or not.
Captain Pearl van Staad said that on Monday, another taxi driver was shot dead in extension 12, Tsakane.
Last month, two taxi owners, as well as two security guards, were gunned down on Ndaba Street, Tsakane.
Taxi drivers told Daily Sun the security company was hired to guard the taxi owners but have turned into hitmen.
“Since they were hired last June, the killings have increased.
“We live in fear because we don’t know who’s next.
“We want the cops to intervene and end this bloodshed.
“So many people have died and we don’t know when is this going to stop,” they said.
Van Staad said 10 firearms were found in the suspects’ possession.
They are facing three counts of murder.