Four taxi drivers in Limpopo have been arrested on charges of kidnapping, extortion, and assault after an incident on Tuesday in the Mankweng policing area. The suspects, all members of the Mankweng Taxi Association, were apprehended after police spotted two Toyota Quantum minibuses blocking a maroon SUV in the area.
The police officers, part of the provincial tracking team, immediately intervened and discovered that the victim, a 48-year-old man driving the SUV, was being attacked by the four taxi operators. The man claimed that the taxi drivers accused him of illegally operating as a taxi and then demanded a ransom of R2,500 for his release. After the assault, the victim filed a complaint against the suspects, leading to their swift arrest.
The four men now face charges of kidnapping, extortion, and assault common, and are expected to appear in court soon. Investigations into the incident are still ongoing.
This case is part of a wider issue in South Africa involving taxi operators who allegedly engage in harassment and extortion of private transport drivers, especially tour operators. Reports have surfaced over the years of taxi associations targeting vehicles, such as larger minibuses and buses, for supposed violations like “pirating,” or operating without permits. These drivers are often intercepted and forced to pay fines or face threats from taxi security firms.
One tour operator, speaking anonymously, shared their experience of being surrounded by taxi operators while on a trip to Mpumalanga with tourists from across South Africa. The operators demanded R4,000 to release the vehicle. Another operator faced similar demands while trying to collect tourists from Pretoria, where taxi drivers blocked the bus and insisted on a payment for the trip to proceed. Even tourists from the UK were not spared, with one group of dancers being blocked simply because they were black, and the taxi operators insisted they should use taxis instead of private transport.
The frequent reports of such extortion and harassment highlight a growing problem in the industry, with private companies finding themselves at the mercy of aggressive tactics used by some taxi operators. As the investigation continues, authorities are facing mounting pressure to address this pervasive issue.