Taxi operators attempt to extort police officers driving unmarked car
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Photos: SAPS
Police officers in Limpopo have confirmed an arrest of three taxi patrolling team after attempting to extort and threatened them.
The incident occurred during an anti-smuggling operation conducted by the Limpopo Provincial Tracking Team in the Musina policing area on Thursday, 08 January 2026 when the members of the Provincial Tracking Team were travelling in an unmarked vehicle on the N1 next to the Sasol garage in Musina.
They were stopped by a white Toyota Corolla fitted with white strobe lights and bearing local taxi patrol stickers and interrogated them about transporting hitchhikers between Musina and Makhado without their “permission”.
They unlawfully confronted the SAPS members, pointed them with a firearm, threatened them with a sjambok, and attempted to exercise policing powers they do not possess. However, police officers immediately identified themselves and reacted tactically.
Shortly after that, the said suspects attempted to flee the scene but they were quickly apprehended.
The three suspects, aged between 32 and 49, were arrested for the following offences, committed in common purpose: Pointing of a firearm-Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, unlawful use of white strobe lights-National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996, crimen injuria, reckless and negligent driving and intimidation.
During the arrest, police also seized a notebook containing vehicle registration numbers and recorded amounts of money allegedly extorted from motorists, indicating possible organised extortion activities. Items seized include: 1 × 9mm pistol with 2 magazines and 33 live rounds of ammunition,1 × sjambok, 1 × white strobe light, 1 × notebook linked to alleged extortion. The motor vehicle was also confiscated.
The suspects are expected to appear before the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 09 January 2026.
