4 taxi drivers arrested for kidnapping and extortion in Limpopo

Police in Limpopo have arrested four men, all taxi drivers, on charges of kidnapping, extortion, and assault. The arrest took place on Tuesday in the Mankweng policing area, specifically in a location called Nobody.

Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Thakeng, the provincial police spokesperson, confirmed that members of the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Limpopo Provincial Tracking Team apprehended the suspects after witnessing a suspicious incident.

According to Thakeng, the officers noticed two Toyota Quantum minibuses blocking a maroon sport utility vehicle (SUV). Acting quickly, the officers stopped their vehicle and intervened. Upon investigating, they found that the driver of the maroon SUV, a 48-year-old man, had been attacked by the taxi operators.

The victim alleged that the taxi drivers accused him of illegally operating as a taxi service. They assaulted him and demanded R2,500 for his release.

Immediate Arrests and Charges

Following the victim’s account, the police arrested the four suspects on the spot. All four men are members of the Mankweng Taxi Association.

“They will appear before the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court soon, facing charges of kidnapping, extortion, and common assault,” said Thakeng. He added that investigations are ongoing to gather more evidence.

4 taxi drivers arrested

Wider Taxi Industry Concerns

This incident highlights ongoing tensions between taxi associations and private motorists or operators accused of “pirating.”

Last year, IOL reported on mounting frustration among private tour companies that ferry tourists to various destinations across South Africa. Many operators expressed concerns over what they described as relentless harassment and extortion by taxi associations.

Numerous cases have been reported where motorists, accused of picking up hitchhikers or passengers without permits, were stopped by taxi security firms and fined.

Tour Operators Share Their Experiences

Several tour operators shared stories of being intercepted and extorted by taxi operators. One tour operator, speaking to IOL on condition of anonymity, recalled an incident where his bus was surrounded, and he was forced to pay R4,000 for his vehicle’s release.

“I had a trip to Mpumalanga from Gauteng. My tourists were from different areas including Randfontein, Krugersdorp, Sandton, and Vaal. I had to go collect them at the few pick-up spots before the trip. When I got to Southgate, taxi operators stopped us and demanded money,” he said.

On another occasion, the same operator’s bus was blocked when he was transporting tourists from Mpumalanga to Pretoria. “They stopped the bus and demanded R4,000,” he explained.

Racial Discrimination Incident

In a particularly shocking case, a tour operator recounted an incident involving nine tourists from the UK who were blocked from boarding a bus. The taxi patrollers reportedly argued that “black people cannot be tourists, they must use taxis,” simply because the tourists were black.

The operator had to arrange alternative transport to Diepkloof before the tourists could continue their journey.

Authorities Under Pressure

Incidents like these have raised public concerns about safety, harassment, and intimidation in South Africa’s taxi industry. While the taxi industry is a vital part of the country’s transportation network, allegations of violent behavior, extortion, and abuse of power have cast a shadow over its reputation.

Local authorities are now under pressure to address these issues and ensure the safety of both motorists and tourists. The arrest of the four taxi drivers in Limpopo may be seen as a step toward holding those responsible for such crimes accountable.

Ongoing Investigation

As police continue their investigation into the case in Mankweng, it remains to be seen whether further charges or arrests will be made. For now, the suspects will have to answer to the charges of kidnapping, extortion, and assault when they appear in court.

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