LEBOGANG SEALE
P OLICE believe they have cracked a syndicate specialising in the hijacking and theft of minibus taxis.
This follows the arrest yesterday of four men, including a police officer, at Merafe Hostel in Mapetla.
Members of the Gauteng Flying Squad, acting on a tip-off, swooped on a suspect while he was respraying what police said was a stolen red Toyota Hi-Ace taxi at a house near the hostel. The house is also used as a panel-beating shop.
The man implicated a taxi boss who stays at the hostel, saying he was the owner of the car, according to a detective at the scene.
The taxi owner, whose identity is known to The Star, was not at the hostel. He was apparently sacked from the Soweto Taxi Association because of his alleged involvement in the hijacking and theft of taxis.
Police recovered minibus seats matching those of the stolen taxi behind a Nissan bakkie. They also found another Hi-Ace taxi next to the Nissan.
The second Hi-Ace was reported stolen in Actonville, near Benoni, last month. Detectives also recovered two other Hi-Ace taxis suspected to have been stolen. The vehicles had had their engine and chassis numbers altered.
At the scene, police spotted a black VW Golf driving around with two men inside it. When they stopped the car, one of the men brandished a firearm.
Detectives said they checked the man’s cellphone and had been able to link him to the other suspects. They also seized his service pistol and found an official police card on him.
The police officer, who may not be named until he appears in court, is attached to the Moroka police station. His passenger was also arrested.
In total, 10 taxis, some stripped of their parts, were parked at the hostel in front of a makeshift garage. Inside the garage were vehicle parts, including doors, engines, gearboxes, chassis, radiators and alternators.
Most of the engines and chassis had their numbers altered or erased. Numerous taxi seats were placed among the vehicles.
As the police scoured the yard for more evidence, curious residents stood in groups and watched the drama unfold.
“We are surprised by what is happening here. We just thought he was fixing cars and never suspected anything,” said Dudu Mntungwa, who identified herself as an executive committee member at Merafe Hostel.
“It’s very embarrassing for us. There is this belief that there are many criminals in the hostel and this is like proof, although it’s not true,” she added.
Also watching was the handcuffed police officer, who glared from the backseat of a police car along with another suspect.
“Don’t say anything. Just keep quiet, okay?” he yelled at two men standing next to the police car, as The Star tried to get comment from the two.
All the vehicles have been impounded.
“We believe we have made a breakthrough in breaking a syndicate that has been terrorising taxi operators,” said a police officer, who may not be named.