In October 2024, Thabo*, a security guard, was on his way to work for his night shift
when he became the victim of a harrowing taxi robbery. What began as an ordinary
journey soon turned into a nightmare when a group of armed assailants took control
of the taxi.
The taxi, initially carrying six passengers, continued to pick up more people as it
traveled through the area. As it neared a T-junction near Seropesabenya, an informal
settlement, the two men who boarded last pulled out firearms and ordered the driver
to take a detour along a gravel road leading to an open field.
Once the vehicle was stopped, the robbers demanded that all passengers hand over
their phones and wallets. For those with banking apps, they were forced to send
money via cash send or a voucher. Any passenger without money was subjected to
physical violence. One passenger, who appeared intoxicated, resisted the robbers’
demands. In response, the assailants fired shots into the air, further escalating the
tension.
Before leaving the scene, the robbers tossed the taxi driver’s keys into nearby
bushes, a move that raised suspicions of possible complicity between the criminals
and the driver.
The terrified survivors walked to the Sebokeng Police Station to report the crime.
However, the police refused to open a case until the taxi driver himself reported the
incident. To date, Thabo has not seen the taxi again—a white Quantum with blue
wings drawn on the back.
According to police Spokesperson, Captain Lephoto, “When people are robbed in a
taxi, it is not only the driver who can open the case, because the driver may not
know the value of the stolen items,” he explained. “A police officer cannot and must
not refuse to open a case, as it is their duty to do so.” He emphasized that the police
officer involved should have gathered statements from all victims at the scene.
But in the aftermath, Thabo remains deeply affected by the trauma of the robbery.
The experience has left him hyper-aware of his surroundings when traveling by taxi,
especially during nighttime. His sense of trust has been shattered, and he now takes
extra precautions, often choosing only taxis he recognizes.
While the police have assured that they are investigating the matter, Thabo
continues to await any updates or progress on the case.
Captain Lephoto noted that a similar case had been reported previously in
Sebokeng, but only one person had come forward to file a report. “Sebokeng
detectives have reached out to other victims, requesting that they provide statements
and claim their stolen property, as we did not have details of the other victims
initially,” he said. “So far, we have only received one report, and no other similar
incidents have been reported in the area.”
Despite the police spokesperson's assurances, Thabo and other victims like him
continue to wait for justice, hoping for a resolution to the traumatic event that
changed their lives.
*Not real name
