Taxi patrols force driver to pay R2,500 to return vehicle, Mzansi wants authorities to intervene

Taxi police officers forcibly seized a man’s vehicle and demanded he pay to get it back
The motorist said the patrolmen attacked him after he gave his neighbor a lift
South Africans want authorities to act before people take matters into their own hands

A group of taxis. — Taxi patrols are drawing the ire of social media users for forcibly taking a man’s vehicle and then demanding he pay for its release. Brenton Geach.
Source: Getty Images

South Africans are calling on the authorities to take action against taxi patrols.

Patrols have developed a reputation over the years for using force to ensure safety people are just using their services, but social media users have had enough.

Citizens responded angrily to the group after one Mpumalanga The man had his car taken away by taxi drivers, who then demanded he pay a fine to get it back.

Taxi patrols demand R2,500

Themba Mahlangu, the motorist in question, explained this Taxi police officers took his keys and drove away in his car because he was giving his neighbor a ride.

The police refused to help

Mahlangu added that he had to get his car back without the help of the police as they told him they would not interfere in taxi business.

He had to call his car tracking company, who told him the vehicle was at a nearby taxi stand.

He went to the rank with his brothers, but they did not get the car back until they had paid the men.

Police are now investigating a case of carjacking.

Social media users are demanding action

Lungisani Carburetor Ngubane said:

“Unbelievable. Taxi police officers have no right to hijack someone’s car. The poor man was just helping his neighbor. This is extortion. The authorities must take action against these rogue taxi patrols.”

Makgola Lehong added:

“This is something that the police, the transport department and associations know every day, but act as if they are hearing about it for the first time.”

Thapelo Listener said:

“South Africa is a lawless country. That’s extortion. These guys need to be arrested.”

Brian Tshoki Mashego added:

‘These people need to be taught a lesson. They think they own our roads. We have to take them one by one.”

Andrew Chigeza stated:

‘Those taxi drivers are the law unto themselves. I don’t understand how they have so much power. These people should be arrested and set as examples for others.”