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Mamelodi Taxi Violence: Two Accused Released on Bail After Five Men Burned Alive
Taxi War Horror: Accused Walk Free on Bail
The community of Mamelodi has been left shaken after two men accused of one of the most horrific acts of taxi violence in recent memory were granted bail.
The suspects, Masipa Victor Maepa (38) and Job Matsobane Magongwa (43), both members of the Mamelodi Taxi Association, stand accused of burning five men alive in what police have described as a brutal turf-related attack.
The Cullinan Magistrates Court, sitting north of Pretoria, released the pair on R2 000 bail each, a decision that has since drawn widespread public disbelief and outrage across Gauteng.
A Gruesome Night in September
The case stems from a shocking incident on 11 September, when five men, one reportedly affiliated with the Tembisa Taxi Association, were driving through Mamelodi East.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), they were confronted by members of the local Mamelodi Taxi Association and the Mamelodi Long-Distance Taxi Association, who accused them of trying to steal taxis in the area.
The victims were allegedly assaulted, tied up, and forced back into their taxi. They were then driven to Cullinan, where they were set alight inside the vehicle. Two managed to escape the flames but later succumbed to their injuries.
When a member of the Cullinan Community Policing Forum (CPF) responded to reports of a burning vehicle on Brandbotch Road, they found a scene of unimaginable horror: three charred bodies inside and two more severely burnt men lying outside the taxi.
The Court’s Decision and Backlash
Following investigations by the Taxi Violence Unit, both accused handed themselves over to police and were charged with five counts each of murder, kidnapping, and assault.
During their bail hearing, the men told the court they were breadwinners and employed by the Mamelodi Taxi Association. They also confirmed their residential addresses and argued that they posed no flight risk.
Prosecutor Phumza Pfunzo Sinyengwe strongly opposed bail, presenting the affidavit of the investigating officer, Mokgola Gerald Rapetswa, who warned that the accused’s release could endanger witnesses. The court also heard that Magongwa had a prior assault conviction.
Despite this, the magistrate ruled that “exceptional circumstances” justified their release, saying it was in the interest of justice. The case has been postponed to 26 November for further investigation.
The ruling has since sparked debate over South Africa’s bail system, particularly in cases involving violent organised crime.
Taxi Industry Under Fire
The case adds another dark chapter to Gauteng’s long struggle with taxi-related violence, which has claimed dozens of lives over the years. Rivalries between associations, competition over routes, and disputes about territory have often turned deadly, with ordinary commuters caught in the crossfire.
Local social media users reacted with anger after the bail decision, with some calling it “a mockery of justice.” Others questioned how such serious charges could still lead to release, even temporarily.
The NPA has urged calm and reiterated that the matter is still under active investigation.
The Road Ahead
For now, the families of the five victims are left waiting for justice, for closure, and for the safety of taxi drivers and passengers alike. The case is expected to test the strength of South Africa’s laws around violent crime, community protection, and accountability in one of the country’s most volatile industries.
As the investigation continues, the bail decision will remain a bitter reminder of how fragile justice can feel in the face of such brutality.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: LinkedIn
