CAPE TOWN - The Independent Police Investigative Directorate is looking into an incident in which a Cape Town taxi driver allegedly died after being attacked by police on Friday last week.
Cape Town’s law enforcement spokesperson says they were called to the scene when a gun was fired.
32-year-old Luvuyo Vimba was identified as the suspected gunman.
When police attempted to arrest Vimba, they got into a brawl.
Santaco in the province is demanding those implicated face punishment.
They also want the national transport department to intervene.
Vimba’s family is seeking legal advice.
Taxi body CODETA has confirmed that no impoundment operations were underway on Friday last week, when their member Luvuyo Vimba was involved in a brawl with police which led to his death.
However, what happened remains unclear, as there are different reports.
The city’s law enforcement authorities say police determined Vimba had discharged a firearm in public.
His colleagues dispute this. They claim he was standing innocently near a police van.
Vimba had been driving taxis for some years before becoming an owner.
His association expressed its disappointment at the incident.
His family describes the 32-year-old father as quiet and loving, and they want answers.
Santaco in the province has condemned his brutal treatment by law enforcement officers in the city.
Since last year, Santaco says its reported four complaints about police targeting violent behaviour.
In a media briefing organised by Codetta in Khayelitsha, community activists asked for a shut-down in support of taxi drivers.
The Transport Department says it will wait for investigations to be completed before acting.