Bellville police arrest three suspects for extortion of e-hailing taxi drivers

In efforts to deal decisively with the crime of extortion, Bellville police officials arrested three suspects on Friday following the kidnapping and extortion of an e-hailing taxi driver in Bellville on Thursday.

The suspects aged 26, 28 and 40 believed to be affiliated to a local taxi association are alleged to have posed as clients luring the e-hailing taxi operator to a specific location in Bellville. On arrival they ordered the driver to drive to the taxi rank where a substantial amount of money was demanded for his release.

Bellville police were alerted and their investigations led to the arrest of the suspects and the impoundment of a Toyota Avanza. The same vehicle is believed to have been utilised in a similar incident involving another e-hailing taxi vehicle also in Bellville a week ago. The affected driver had opened a case with Bellville police after the ordeal.

The arrested suspects will appear in the Bellville Magistrate’s court on Monday, 12 April 2021, on charges relating to kidnapping and extortion.

Western Cape police are reminding local communities to report incidents of extortion to the dedicated line 021 466 0011.