A taxi chairman linked to the Uncedo Service Taxi Association in Matatiele is among seven suspects arrested for allegedly extorting long-distance bus operators.
The six men and one woman, aged between 35 and 65, were arrested in Cape Town, Matatiele and Nelspruit following a four-year police investigation.
According to police, the suspects allegedly worked together between 2021 and 2023 to coerce long-distance bus operators into paying large sums of money in exchange for “protection” and permission to operate along their licensed routes.
Authorities say some companies were forced to shut down or scale back services due to the demands.
The suspects face about 125 charges, including extortion, intimidation, money laundering and racketeering under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, and are expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
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