A feared parolee has allegedly been extorting taxi drivers in Bronkhorstspruit, near Pretoria, forcing them to pay R30 for every load of passengers they pick up at the local taxi rank.
According to members of the Greater Bronkhorstspruit Taxi Association, the man — identified as Mphekeledi Mantsoe — has been intimidating operators since his release from Zonderwater Correctional Services two months ago. The association represents 126 members and manages a fleet of 300 taxis.
Taxi Drivers Allege Daily Extortion
During a visit to the taxi rank last week, Sowetan reporters witnessed two men collecting R30 from drivers who appeared reluctant to hand over the cash. Mantsoe, who reportedly moves around with armed security, is said to use “runners” to collect money on his behalf.
Drivers claim that Mantsoe’s network collects as much as R25,000 daily, though he has denied all allegations of extortion.
One association leader — who asked not to be named for safety reasons — said Mantsoe first addressed taxi owners on October 8, arriving dramatically in a helicopter, flanked by armed guards and escorted by police vehicles.
“He told us each owner would contribute R20 weekly from our membership fees to fund patrollers who would protect taxis on the road. We agreed,” the leader explained. “But just days later, he sent someone to say there would be an extra R30 ‘protection fee.’ We don’t understand why, since protection was already covered in the R20.”
A driver at the rank said he felt forced to comply.
“I’ve been here for seven years and we’ve never had to pay protection fees,” he said. “There’s no taxi violence here, but people are afraid to refuse because Mantsoe has dangerous people watching every rank.”
Authorities and Taxi Alliance Involved
The Greater Bronkhorstspruit Taxi Association said it had reported the matter to both the National Taxi Alliance (NTA) and the police. NTA president Adam Mahlangu confirmed that they were aware of the situation.
A member of the National Intervention Unit, a police tactical response team, said they had received three complaints and were gathering information before assigning an investigating officer.
Mantsoe Denies Wrongdoing
In response, Mantsoe dismissed the claims as “defamation,” insisting that the money collection was a legitimate, agreed-upon initiative.
“What I’m doing is not extortion,” he told Sowetan. “It was agreed at a mass meeting — even the SAPS was there. If they think I’m extorting them, they should open a case or report me to Correctional Services.”
He added that the money helps pay for a patrol vehicle and 10 hired patrollers, and said he would continue collecting the fees.
Mantsoe defended his helicopter arrival, saying it was purely for safety reasons.
“I heard they planned to block the roads to stop me. I landed near the rank to avoid being attacked. There were about 100 people at that meeting,” he said.
Police and Correctional Services Confirm Details
Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that officers were deployed at the meeting only to maintain order after receiving reports of possible armed attendees.
“The person [Mantsoe] was escorted by private security, not police,” Nevhuhulwi clarified.
According to Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo, Mantsoe — who served time for robbery and rape committed in 2006 in the Free State — was sentenced to 18 years and placed on parole on September 4, 2025, after appearing before the parole board in August.
