Three men, aged 44, 58 and 80, have been arrested in connection with an alleged taxi extortion incident on the N8 between Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu, where passengers were reportedly forced to raise R2,500 to secure their release.
According to police, 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.
Police said a Toyota Hilux GD-6 overtook the taxi at high speed before stopping in front of it, forcing the driver to come to a halt.
“Three male suspects got out of the Hilux and confronted the taxi driver, demanding to know who had authorised him to operate on their route,” police said.
The driver reportedly produced a valid long-distance operating permit, but the suspects allegedly ordered all the passengers out of the vehicle.
“Despite the driver producing a valid long-distance operating permit, the suspects forced all the passengers out of the vehicle into the freezing darkness,” police said.
Investigators said the driver told the men he did not have any money to meet their demands. One of the suspects allegedly began unloading the passengers’ luggage from the trailer.
“Fearing for their lives and safety in the sub-zero temperatures, the stranded passengers pooled their money,” police said.
A total of R2,500 was reportedly collected and handed to the driver, who then paid it to the suspects.
“The victims were then allowed to leave,” police added.
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 meticulous investigative work, all three suspects were successfully traced and arrested between 2pm and 5pm at various locations,” police said.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Thaba Nchu Magistrate’s Court on charges of extortion.
