BLOEMFONTEIN – Police have arrested three men aged 44, 58 and 80 in connection with an extortion incident in which a taxi driver and his 15 passengers were forced to pay R2 500 on the N8 highway between Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu.

The incident occurred on Thursday 25 June at approximately 23:45 when the taxi driver was transporting passengers, including elderly individuals and children, from Botshabelo to Durban.

A Toyota Hilux GD6 with Free State registration plates overtook the Toyota Quantum taxi at high speed before stopping in front of it, forcing the vehicle to a standstill.

Three male suspects exited the Hilux and confronted the taxi driver, demanding to know who had authorised him to operate on their route. Despite the driver producing his valid long-distance driving permit, the suspects forced all passengers out of the vehicle.

When the driver said he had no cash to satisfy their demands, one of the suspects began unloading passengers’ luggage from the trailer. The passengers collectively pooled their money and raised R2 500, which the driver paid to the suspects before being allowed to leave.

A case of extortion was registered on 1 July at Selosesha Police Station in Thaba Nchu.

On Monday 13 July, members of the Mangaung Metro DOCC East Task Team traced and arrested all three suspects between 14:00 and 17:00 at various locations.

The suspects are expected to appear in the Thaba Nchu Magistrate’s Court soon.

Provincial Commissioner of the Free State, Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia, said extortion and intimidation of public transport operators would not be tolerated in the Free State. “Forcing vulnerable citizens, including the elderly and young children, out into the freezing cold to demand a ransom is both heartless and unlawful.”

He commended the task team members who worked on their rest days to ensure the suspects were arrested.