Two men arrested over alleged kidnapping and extortion of Uber driver in Katlehong

Two men have been arrested in Katlehong on allegations of kidnapping and extortion after an Uber driver reported being held at gunpoint at a taxi rank. The arrests were carried out by members of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) and the Community Liaison Overloads and First Responding Unit (CLU).

What happened

Officers from the EMPD and CLU responded to a complaint concerning an incident at the Old Natalspruit Taxi Rank in Katlehong. They met the Uber driver at a petrol station on the corner of Hospital Street and Kgotso Street.

The driver alleged that he had been

“held hostage, at gunpoint by members of a taxi association”

and that the suspects demanded money for his release. The driver told officers he had R150 and handed that money to the suspects.

Arrests at the taxi rank

According to officers, the complainant said he could identify the suspects and indicated they had run into the taxi rank. Two of four suspects were positively identified when officers went to the rank with the driver.

Reports state the suspects attempted to flee in different directions when they saw officers approaching. After a chase, two suspects were apprehended and detained at the Katlehong police station. The two arrested men are aged 45 and 50.

The suspects are expected to appear before the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court to face charges of kidnapping and extortion.

Separate Durban metro case

Separately, the Durban Metropolitan Police Service (DMPS) confirmed the arrest of four authorised officers accused of extorting a businessman in the KwaSanti area. The arrests followed an investigation and a criminal case is being investigated by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The four accused appeared before the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court and were granted bail. Following the arrest, the DMPS suspended the officers while the criminal investigation and internal disciplinary processes continue.

DMPS Colonel Boysie Zungu emphasised the service’s

‘Zero-tolerance’

approach to corruption, extortion and criminal conduct by its members and called on the public to report incidents of misconduct through the appropriate channels.