A Masiphumelele father of two is lucky to be alive after he was allegedly robbed, shot at and his vehicle torched during a violent taxi strike on Monday 7 August.
Describing his ordeal to People’s Post, Innocent Kasanhai, a local artist, says he dropped off a fellow artist in Philippi on Monday at around 08:30 and as he was returning home, opposite the police academy, the tragic incident occured.
“They (taxi drivers) were driving on both lanes incoming and outgoing and I didn’t realise it at first because it was very foggy that morning.”
Realising too late that protest action was taking place, Kasanhai stopped his vehicle and attempted to make a U-turn.
“They stopped me when they fired two shots at my vehicle.
“A person came with a hammer and tried to hit me on the head, another guy said there was no need to hit me so they took my money, R1 600 school fees for my kids, and my phone.
“There was a mob coming so I had to run for my life.”
The father says he ran until he reached a nearby house where he asked for help.
“The lady who helped me, her daughter was outside and she saw my vehicle was on fire.”
The artist, who is self-employed and originally from Zimbabwe, says he is now nervous to leave his home.
“I am self employed so really needed my car, now I am stuck at home.
“The worst thing is that my permit and passport was in there. I am from Zimbabwe and have been living here in SA for 21 years. To get another permit on a passport is really hard.”
Ocean View police acting Station Commander Capt Nick Spreeth confirmed that a case of malicious damage to property has been opened.
“This incident occurred outside the Phillipi Police College on 7 August.
“A case of malicious damage to property and theft was opened and the docket transferred to Samora Machel Police Station.”
Meanwhile Karoline Hanks, founder of Project Noordhoeked, shared a post on social media as a means to share his story and to assist the family.
Talking to People’s Post, Hank says Kasanhai is a hardworking and decent person who did not deserve it.
“Here is a hard-working, decent human being going about his business and life, and everything gets torched. He has had this car for eight years and it has ensured he can run a successful craft business with artists under him.”
She added that the artist’s work includes a wire whale (Kakapo) which is a receptacle for beach plastic collected by beach walkers in Noordhoek.
“Innocent is a humble, kind and soft-spoken man. He has always bent over backwards for us in terms of making stuff for us, often at short notice and being very fair in his pricing.
“He is a family man, and a church goer. I was drawn to help him out because he is such a humble, decent guy – who really doesn’t deserve this.”
The organisation has since received an overwhelming response of support from the public of around R15 000.
“There has indeed been an overwhelming response, and I believe this is largely due to the fact that people feel so utterly helpless and angry and upset that someone who is so innocent (by name and nature) should become the target of such thuggery.
“His incident is representative of the serious collateral damage done and that is playing out all over while this strike continues.”
Hanks says funds that have been deposited into Project Noordhoeked’s account will go directly to the family.
She has since started a back-a-buddy campaign.
“We are on about R15K so far . . . school fees included and a contribution from our project included.”
For more information visit https://www.backabuddy.co.za/innocent-kasanhai-5674605901425028679
Meanwhile in a statement by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, he says while the mini-bus taxi strike ended it was unacceptable that five people died due to the scale of violence.
“The strike dragged on for far too long, with residents, particularly the poor, worst affected.
“It is unacceptable and tragic that five people were killed, buses, private vehicles, and property was attacked and burned, and roads were blockaded and people were cut off from essential services such as health and education.”
Winde added that violence is not how issues should be resolved.
“If this strike has demonstrated anything it is that the way we resolve issues is through engagement and talking.
“It is imperative that if our democracy is to thrive that we respect the principle that we are all equal before the law and that we all have the right to feel safe and be treated with respect.”
