2 alleged taxi association members arrested for kidnapping and extortion of Uber driver in Katlehong
Two men linked to a taxi association have been arrested in Katlehong after an Uber driver allegedly identified them as part of a group that kidnapped him at gunpoint and extorted money from him at the Old Natalspruit Taxi Rank.
Two men were arrested in Katlehong on June 20 after allegedly kidnapping and extorting an Uber driver.
According to the EMPD, officers from the Community Liaison Unit, Overloads Unit and First Responding Unit received a complaint about a kidnapping and extortion incident involving an Uber driver at the Old Natalspruit Taxi Rank.
The complainant met officers at a petrol station at the corner of Hospital and Kgotso streets, where he alleged that members of a taxi association had held him hostage at gunpoint and demanded money in exchange for his release.
The driver reportedly told officers that he only had R150, which he handed over to the suspects.
He informed officers that he would be able to identify the men involved and indicated that they had fled into the taxi rank.
Police accompanied the complainant to the rank, where two of the four alleged suspects were positively identified.
According to the EMPD, the suspects attempted to flee in different directions when they noticed the approaching officers. A chase ensued, and both men were apprehended.
The suspects were arrested and detained at the Katlehong SAPS on charges of kidnapping and extortion.
They are expected to appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court soon.
