Five taxi patrollers from Bethal caught for assaulting hitchhikers were sentenced in the Bethal Magistrate’s Court.

The patrollers affiliated with the Bethal Taxi Association pleaded guilty to charges of assault and malicious injury to property. The charges emanated from offences that happened on December 12.

In the first incident, the taxi patrollers approached a woman who was hitchhiking. They told her that hitchhiking was not permitted and instructed her to return to the taxi rank. When she explained that she was running late, the accused assaulted her. Her cellphone was damaged in the attack.

In the second incident, a woman and her 14-year-old daughter were assaulted by the same group after attempting to hitchhike. The victims had waited for a long time at the taxi rank and observed that taxis were not moving.

A passenger who witnessed the assaults recorded the incidents on her cellphone. The video footage was later circulated on social media and went viral. An intensive police investigation followed, leading to the arrest of the accused, who subsequently pleaded guilty.

Philip Isaih Mhlangu (57) was fined R10 000 or six months’ imprisonment, half of which has been suspended for five years. Peter Mandla Mhlanga (45) was fined R6 000 or four months’ imprisonment, of which half has been suspended for five years.

Machawe Samuel Mdluli (26) was fined R4 000 or face three months’ imprisonment, with half of the sentence suspended.

Selby Wiseman Mtshweni (47) was fined R10 000 or face six months’ imprisonment, with half of the fine suspended for five years. Tonono Patric Makhubedu (40) was fined R6,000 or face four months’ imprisonment, with half of the fine suspended for five years. The accused pleaded guilty to three counts of assault and malicious injury to property.

Monica Nyuswa, National Prosecution Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Mpumalanga, said in mitigation of sentence, the Taxi Association acknowledged responsibility for the conduct of its members and emphasised that firm legal consequences are necessary to deter similar conduct and restore public confidence in the safety of taxi services.

“In aggravation of sentence, state prosecutor Brilliant Khoza submitted that taxi ranks were historically regarded as places of safety, traditionally assisting strangers and members of the public. This position has changed significantly, with increasing reports of taxi patrollers unlawfully assuming law-enforcement roles and exerting control over public roads. In severe cases, members of the public are seriously injured or killed. The State further argued that such conduct undermines public confidence in public transport systems and warrants appropriate punishment.”

Nyuswa said the NPA welcomes these sentences and remains unwavering in its commitment to vigorously pursue perpetrators of violent crimes, sending a clear and firm message to would-be offenders.