Inside the arrests that led to the ‘bus mafia’ crackdown

Seven individuals linked to a notorious bus mafia were arrested this week, marking a significant step in addressing the extortion and violence that have plagued long-distance bus operators since 2021. Seven linked to the bus mafia which has been tormenting long-distance bus companies and drivers since 2021 have been arrested in a country-wide crackdown. The group made theirfirst appearance in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Courton Monday, March 30.

The group was arrested last weekend in three different provinces and faces 125 charges, which include allegations of extortion, intimidation, and money laundering. The suspects are: Bonke Makalala, Simphiwe Matshala, Mzuvukile Mbiyo, Siyanda Dyanti, Gwendoline Mazele, Siphelele Kwaza, and Simphiwe Gxumayo. The group, aged between 35 and 62, was arrested in Cape Town, Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, and Nelspruit in Mpumalanga. Police said their arrest follows four years of extensive investigation conducted by the Western Cape Taxi Violence Task Team, which identified a group of individuals linked to various taxi associations who allegedly acted in concert to extort money from long-distance bus companies through threats, intimidation, and violence.