Three people shot dead at a Delft taxi rank in the Western Cape prompt SAPS murder investigations, amid rising taxi violence concerns and expert criticism.

Three men were shot dead at a busy Delft taxi rank after gunmen opened fire from inside a passing minibus taxi on Thursday.

Three people have been killed in a mass shooting at Delft taxi rank in the Western Cape.

Three taxi operators were shot on Thursday morning; two of them died on the scene, while the third victim later died in hospital.

Violence has plagued South Africa's highly competitive and lucrative taxi industry for decades.