SA: Five Bogus Zimbabwean Taxi Association Inspectors Arrested

Five male bogus Zimbabwean taxi association patrollers were arrested in Randburg, South Africa, for extortion and kidnapping this week.

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Xolani Fihla confirmed that their Undercover Reaction Unit had arrested the suspects. Said Fihla:

On Wednesday, 26 October 2022, officers received information of suspects pretending to be taxi association patrollers affiliated with PRS taxi association in Pretoria, who were extorting money from unsuspecting motorists giving lifts to hitchhikers in the Randburg area.

Further information was received that the suspects were driving around in a silver-grey Volvo S40.

He said on 24 October, a case docket was opened at Randburg SAPS as the Zimbabwean men had extorted money from a truck owner at the Randburg Driving License Testing Centre. Explained Fihla:

Whilst on patrol along Malibongwe Drive and the N1 searching for the suspects, officers identified the vehicle matching the description used in the commission of the crime. They tactically approached and stopped the vehicle.

While searching they discovered that one of the occupants was a victim of extortion who the suspects had forced to withdraw R4000.

Fihla said police officers arrested more suspects linked to the syndicate that had been terrorising the community of Randburg. He said:

They were driving a white Isuzu bakkie. The PRS Taxi Association office was notified of the suspects extorting people using their association name and they confirmed that they had received numerous complaints about such conduct.

All five suspects, Zimbabwean nationals were detained at Randburg SAPS, and both vehicles used by the suspects were seized and booked in at the SAPS Aeroton pound

| The South African