By Sonica Naudé-Steyn

The investigation into the extortion and intimidation of long distance bus carriers led to the arrest of seven suspects across three province. According to the SAPS the arrests were conducted by the Western Cape serious violent crime detectives on Friday and Saturday.
“Six men and a woman between the ages of 35 and 65 were arrested in Cape Town, Matatiele and Nelspruit in a take-down operation led by Western Cape serious violent and organised crime detectives, Crime Intelligence, Crime Scene Management experts, members of the SAPS Special Task Force, Tactical Response Team and representatives from the Asset Forfeiture Unit, Financial Intelligence Centre and the National Prosecuting Authority. The arrests are the culmination of four years of meticulous investigative work targeting key figures within the transport sector who allegedly, have been working in concert between 2021 and 2023 tormenting, intimidating and extorting major long distance bus service operators and coercing them to pay substantial monies in exchange for protection and permission to operate safely on their licensed routes,” said the SAPS in a statment.
According to the SAPS, the amount of money imposed on the victims were in some instance so substantial that the businesses were either forced to close down or limit their services.
“That negatively impacted travellers who require reliable long distance transport services. The illegal operations are believed to have also increased prices thereby hitting travellers hard in their pockets. The extensive organised crime project investigation has over time laid bare the coordinated illicit activities as well as collusion of the alleged perpetrators who some, have financial interest in the transport sector. The investigation also revealed how in the course of the alleged perpetrators dictating terms of operation for the bus operators, the number of trips and passengers were imposed on them,” said the SAPS.
The arrested suspects face a myriad of approximately 125 charges ranging from intimidation, interference with essential infrastructure to extortion, money laundering, managing a criminal enterprise as well contravening elements of the prevention of organised crime act (POCA). The illicit activities of the group are believed to be valued at hundreds of millions of rands.
The seven suspects, identified as Bonke Makalala, Simphiwe Matshala, Mzuvukile Mbiyo, Siyanda Dyanti, Gwendoline Mazele, Siphelele Kwaza and Simphiwe Gxumayo appeared at Cape Town Magistrates Court on Monday, according to the National Prosecuting Authority.
“Their arrest and appearance in court follow an investigation conducted by the Western Cape Taxi Violence Task Team, which identified a group of individuals linked to various taxi associations who allegedly acted in concert to extort money from long-distance bus companies through threats, intimidation, and violence. The State alleges that, between 2021 and 2023, the accused demanded substantial payments from bus operators in exchange for ‘protection’ and the ability to operate without interference. These demands were enforced through coordinated acts of intimidation, including threats of violence, disruption of operations, and, in certain instances, the unlawful detention of individuals,” said NPA Western Cape spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila.
The investigation further allegedly uncovered a pattern of payments made by several bus companies under duress, supported by financial records and corroborating statements. These payments were allegedly distributed among members of the group as part of an organised enterprise. The seven accused are charged with, inter alia, racketeering under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA), multiple counts of extortion and attempted extortion, intimidation, kidnapping, interference with essential infrastructure, and money laundering. The suspects will also face charges under the Tax Administration Act, and more charges are likely to be added as the investigation continues.
“The State alleges that the accused operated as part of a structured criminal enterprise with the common purpose of unlawfully extracting financial benefits from long-distance bus operators through sustained and coordinated criminal conduct, which includes intimidation, violence and attacks on long-distance buses by criminal elements within the taxi industry.
The State will oppose bail and pursue prosecution in line with the seriousness of the offences. Their case has been postponed until 07 April 2026 for bail information and confirmation of residence in the Eastern Cape of three of the seven accused. The NPA welcomes their arrests and court appearances as authorities remain committed to addressing taxi-related violence and ensuring the safety of public transport operators and commuters,” concluded Ntabazalila.

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