South African taxi bullies arrested after pulling gun on unmarked police

Three taxi operators from Musina in South Africa, believed to be part of a group that has been harassing travellers using private vehicles between Musina and the Beitbridge Border Post, have been arrested after mistakenly pouncing on an unmarked police vehicle.

The suspects allegedly threatened police officers with a firearm and had fitted their vehicle with white strobe lights while masquerading as law enforcement officers.

Police also recovered a notebook containing a list of vehicles and amounts of money allegedly extorted from motorists.

The arrests come amid growing concern over the abuse of travellers on the Musina-Beitbridge route, a matter that was recently condemned by South Africa’s National Taxi Council (SANTACO).

The route is used daily by more than 15 000 international and regional travellers connecting between Musina and the Sadc region’s busiest inland border post, Beitbridge.

In some cases, travellers are ordered to disembark from certain vehicles and forced into alternative transport, while others are assaulted for boarding specific types of vehicles.

The abuse often involves high-speed car chases, which have resulted in serious and sometimes fatal accidents along major roads, particularly during peak travel periods.

Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the three suspects, aged between 32 and 49, were arrested on multiple charges committed in common purpose.

“These include pointing of a firearm in contravention of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, unlawful use of white strobe lights under the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996, crimen injuria, reckless and negligent driving, and intimidation,” said Brig Mashaba.

“Three taxi operators were arrested after they mistakenly confronted and threatened police officers during an anti-smuggling operation conducted by the Limpopo Provincial Tracking Team in the Musina policing area on Thursday, January 8, 2026.”

He said police officers were travelling in an unmarked vehicle on the N1 near the Sasol Garage in Musina when they were stopped by a white Toyota Corolla fitted with white strobe lights and local taxi patrol stickers.

“Believing the vehicle was transporting hitchhikers between Musina and Makhado without their ‘permission’, the three occupants of the Corolla unlawfully confronted the SAPS members, pointed a firearm at them, threatened them with a sjambok and attempted to exercise policing powers they do not possess,” said Brig Mashaba.

Upon identifying themselves, the police officers reacted tactically, prompting the suspects to attempt to flee before they were swiftly apprehended.

During interrogation, the suspects admitted that they had mistaken the police vehicle for a civilian car, highlighting the grave risks posed by individuals unlawfully taking the law into their own hands.

Police seized a notebook containing vehicle registration numbers and recorded amounts allegedly extorted from motorists, suggesting organised extortion activities.

Other items recovered included a 9mm pistol with two magazines and 33 live rounds of ammunition, a sjambok, white strobe lights and the suspects’ motor vehicle.

“The suspects are expected to appear before the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Friday, January 9, 2026,” said Brig Mashaba.

Acting Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Major General Jan Scheepers said the incident underscored the dangers of vigilantism.

“No individual or group has the authority to stop vehicles, intimidate motorists or enforce the law. SAPS will continue to act decisively against anyone who endangers lives and undermines lawful policing,” he said.

Major General Scheepers also commended the Provincial Tracking Team for their professionalism and restraint under extremely dangerous circumstances. *_-Chronicle_*