Police have increased their presence in Atlantis after a 14-year-old was shot dead at a high school amid a taxi route dispute. Two other children were injured in the incident. Community leaders report heightened tension and low school attendance.
On Wednesday, a 14-year-old teenager was fatally shot at Atlantis High School on the Cape West Coast. An unidentified man approached a mini-bus taxi waiting outside the school to pick up students and opened fire on the driver and children inside the vehicle. The teenager's body was discovered on the school premises, while two other children suffered injuries.
Authorities believe the shooting stems from an ongoing conflict over taxi routes between Atlantis and Killarney. In response, police visibility has been heightened in the area to maintain order.
Noel Cloete, chairperson of the Atlantis Community Police Forum, described the atmosphere as tense. "The situation in Atlantis is very tense at the moment. Residents are making more use of the My-City Bus Service. Very few taxis are visible on the roads. A lot of parents are still hesitant to send their children to school," Cloete said. He added that attendance at Atlantis Secondary School was around 21% on Friday, with counseling offered to students and staff.
The incident has prompted parents to keep children home, contributing to reduced taxi operations and increased reliance on alternative transport.