LIMPOPO  – Eleven men linked to ongoing taxi-related violence along the Giyani–Malamulele route appeared before the Giyani Magistrate’s Court on Friday, December 12.

Three of the accused were released on warning:

• Risimati Dam Ngonyama (67) – assault (common)

• Rodney Chauke (25) – common robbery, common assault, intimidation

• Hlamulo Mathebula (37) – common robbery, common assault, intimidation

Another seven suspects were granted R500 bail each:

• Tito Chabalala (42) – assault and robbery

• Abednigo Mathonsi (29) – assault and robbery

• Kenneth Maluleke (54) – assault and robbery

• Joel Makhuvele (34) – assault

• Defferent Chabalala (42) – assault and robbery

• Matimba Ishmael Matye (39) – assault and robbery

• Kulani Mtileni (38) – assault and robbery

One accused, Xikombiso Justice Maluleke (38), was granted R1 000 bail. He faces charges of robbery, assault GBH, and intimidation.

All eleven suspects are scheduled to return to the same court on Friday, January 30 2026, for their second appearance.

The arrests stem from a violent feud between rival taxi associations that erupted in October and continued into December, leading to eight reported cases involving intimidation, robbery, and assault.

Four incidents were recorded in October and another four in December.

A coordinated intelligence-driven operation on Wednesday, December 10, resulted in multiple arrests of suspects aged between 25 and 67.

Two patrol vehicles belonging to one of the taxi associations were also seized as part of the investigation.

Eight additional suspects who were initially taken in were later released after they could not be linked to the reported offences.

Police investigations are ongoing.