Johannesburg – The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) undercover reaction unit has arrested five men accused of kidnapping and extortion.
The suspects were arrested in Randburg on Wednesday, (26 October 2022).
“Officers received information of suspects pretending to be taxi association patrollers affiliated with PRS taxi association in Pretoria, who were extorting money from unsuspecting motorists giving lifts to hitchhikers in the Randburg area,” said a JMPD statement released Friday.
The JMPD received a tip-off that the suspects were driving around with a silver-grey Volvo S40.
The suspects had allegedly extorted money from a truck owner at the Randburg Driving License Testing Centre.
“Whilst on patrol along Malibongwe Drive and the N1 searching for the suspects, officers identified the vehicle matching the description used in the commission of the crime,” said the JMPD.
“‘They tactically approached and stopped the vehicle. While searching they discovered that one of the occupants was a victim of extortion who the suspects had forced to withdraw R4 000.
“Following up on further information officers apprehended more suspects linked to the syndicate that has been terrorising the community of Randburg.”
The JMPD said the other suspects were driving a white Isuzu bakkie.
“The PRS Taxi Association office was notified of the suspects extorting people using their association name and they confirmed that they had received numerous complaints about such conduct,” said the JMPD.
“All five suspects, Zimbabwean nationals were detained at Randburg SAPS [SA Police Service], and both vehicles used by the suspects were seized and booked in at the SAPS Aeroton pound.”
