Intercape buses travelling long routes, are among the bus operators that were regularly targeted
Seven suspects linked to an organised extortion syndicate targeting long-distance buses have been denied bail in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court. The group faces 156 criminal charges stemming from a massive racketeering and intimidation ring that disrupted public transport across multiple provinces.
The accused, Bonke Makalala, Simphiwe Mtshala, Mzuvukile Mbiyo, Siyanda Dyantyti, Gwendoline Mazele, Siphelele Kwaza, and Simphiwe Gxumayo, face charges including racketeering, extortion, attempted extortion, intimidation, money laundering, kidnapping, interference with essential infrastructure, contraventions of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Poca), and failure to submit tax returns in contravention of the Tax Administration Act.
The group was arrested in Cape Town, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape, respectively, in March.
This case stems from an extensive police investigation known as Project Tsitsikama. The state alleges the criminal enterprise involved taxi owners and members from prominent associations, including Cata, Codeta, UNCEDO, and the Natal Spruit Taxi Association, who systematically extorted long-distance bus operators to control transport routes.
