The South African Police Service in the Western Cape has arrested seven suspects as part of a large investigation into the disruption of long-distance bus services.
The arrests took place on Friday and Saturday in Cape Town, Matatiele and Nelspruit.
Police say the arrests follow a four-year investigation into alleged organised crime in the transport sector between 2021 and 2023. The suspects are accused of intimidating and extorting long-distance bus companies, forcing them to pay large sums of money in exchange for “protection” and permission to operate.
In some cases, the pressure allegedly forced companies to shut down or reduce services, affecting commuters who rely on long-distance travel. The illegal activities are also believed to have pushed up ticket prices.
Authorities say the group may have made hundreds of millions of rand through these activities. Investigators also uncovered alleged collusion between the suspects, some of whom reportedly have financial interests in the transport industry.
The seven suspects now face around 125 charges, including intimidation, extortion, money laundering and running a criminal enterprise under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
Six men and one woman, aged between 35 and 65, are expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 30 March.
Provincial police commissioner Thembisile Patekile has praised the investigation team for uncovering crimes that are often concealed.
