Three arrested after passengers forced to pay R2,500 in N8 taxi extortion

Police have arrested three men in connection with an alleged extortion on the N8 between Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu in which passengers of a minibus taxi were forced to hand over money to secure their release.

What happened

Police say the incident occurred at about 11:45pm on June 25 when a Toyota Quantum carrying 15 passengers, including elderly people and children, was travelling from Botshabelo to Durban. A Toyota Hilux GD-6 is said to have overtaken the taxi at high speed before stopping in front of it and forcing the driver to halt.

Confrontation and demand

According to police, three men got out of the Hilux and confronted the taxi driver, asking who had authorised him to operate on their route. The driver produced a valid long-distance operating permit, but the suspects allegedly ordered all passengers out of the vehicle into the freezing night and demanded money.

Investigators said the driver told the men he had no money. One of the suspects reportedly began unloading passengers’ luggage from the trailer. Fearing for their safety in sub-zero temperatures, the passengers pooled their cash and collected a total of R2,500, which the driver handed to the suspects. The victims were then allowed to leave.

Investigation and arrests

A case of extortion was registered at Selosesha Police Station on July 1 and assigned for further investigation. Police said members of the Mangaung Metro DOCC East Task Team were activated on Monday, July 13, despite being off duty, to trace the suspects.

Through what police described as meticulous investigative work, the three suspects aged 44, 58 and 80 were traced and arrested between 2pm and 5pm at various locations. The suspects are expected to appear in the Thaba Nchu Magistrate’s Court on charges of extortion.

Details kept to sourced facts

This report uses only the facts provided by police statements and the case registration information.