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Eastern Cape police are investigating two cases of murder and 12 of attempted murder in what is believed to be taxi-related violence in the Maclear area.
Spokesperson, Colonel Pricilla Naidu people in two Toyota Fortuner's were making their from Maclear to Tsolo on Wednesday when they came under fire from unknown gunmen.
She said one person in one of the vehicles was killed, while the occupants jumped into the second vehicle and fled.
Naidu said their vehicle colliding with an oncoming Toyota Quantum mini-bus where a woman in the vehicle had also sustained a gunshot wound to the arm.
"On the same day, the local hospital reported that a person brought to the hospital by taxi owners had passed away while several others sustained gunshot wounds.
"Police are investigating two murder and 12 attempted murder cases," she said.
Naidu said four people in two VW Polos were arrested about 5kms from the crime scene and a bag containing two pistols, a magazine and rounds of ammunition were also confiscated.
"The suspects aged between 25 and 44 years old are detained on charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
"Police are probing their possible link to the shooting incident," Naidu said.
Eastern Cape Transport MEC, Xolile Nqatha, who recently oversaw the signing of a taxi "peace pact" condemned the shooting.
"Our primary aim is to ensure the safety of the general public who are at risk of being caught in the crossfire, while every effort is being made by the police to apprehend the perpetrators of these crimes," said MEC Nqatha.
He also said they didn't want to jump to any "ill-informed conclusions" on the possible violation of a Peace Accord signed in East London two months ago and any the repercussions such as possible closure of taxi ranks and revoking of permits and licenses.
