Police need help in tracing taxi kidnappers and robbers
Police have since released a sketch of two men who reportedly kidnapped two women. They were forced to raise money (close to R100 000) from friends and family during the ordeal.
Police are tracing two unknown men who strangled and kidnapped two women in a taxi from Lynnwood Manor to Mamelodi recently.
Police said on Thursday two women en route to Mamelodi were kidnapped and driven to a gravel road in Rayton, near Cullinan.
The country’s long arm of the law has since composed an identity kit and appealed to the public for assistance in locating the suspects.
The two victims were robbed of items and cash totalling R98 000 in the ordeal, according to Silverton police.
FACIAL IDENTITY WAS COMPOSED TO TRY TO HELP TRACE THE SUSPECTS
Tshwane police spokesperson Warrant-Officer Johan van Dyk said police had been investigating the crime since Wednesday.
“On Wednesday, around 16:43 two women took a taxi from Meiring Naude Street towards Mamelodi. Along the road, both were strangled by the occupants of the taxi before it diverted into an unknown area.”
He said there the victims were robbed of their personal belongings.
“The victims were forced to raise money from friends and relatives for their release,” Van Dyk said, adding that eventually the the kidnappers pocketed cash and goods valued at R98 000.
“Facial identity was composed to try to help trace the suspects. Anyone who can assist in identifying the suspects, may contact Detective Sergeant Ditlake on 073 630 0154.”
TAXI INDUSTRY WAS NOT AWARE
Tshwane taxi industry and Santaco spokesperson MacDonald Makata said the taxi industry was not aware of the unfortunate incident in which the women were robbed of close to R100 000.
Makata said relationships with police needed to be strengthened to bolster investigations and alleviate crime around the taxi industry.
“It is unfortunate that such acts are occurring around our industry. We need to strengthen relationships with commuters so they are aware how to report such crimes.”
A dedicated communications platform is also in the pipeline and will be availed to all stakeholders, including commuters to assist in reporting crimes in the taxi industry, according to Makata.
“We condemn such acts in the industry and should safeguard women at all times utilising the taxi facilities.”
Makata said he suspected this could be the work of people pretending to be taxi operators, however police would investigate further.
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