Fourteen arrested for holding bus passengers hostage in Gauteng
Gauteng Traffic Police have arrested fourteen suspects for holding public transport operators and passengers hostage in Orlando,Soweto.
The suspects who are alleged to be members of a local taxi association were arrested on Wednesday, a day after the hostage.
Gauteng Traffic Police Spokesperson Sello Maremane says the suspects held two buses hostage, demanding ransom for the release of the property and passengers.
“The suspects allegedly held two luxury busses hostage, with the assistance of their security personnel, pointing firearms at drivers and passengers and demanded R5000 from each bus for the release thereof,” says Maremane.
The arrested suspects have been detained at Orlando Police station and are expected to face charges relating to the pointing of firearms, armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms and impersonating the duties of a traffic police officer.
Maremane says about four rifles, five handguns and live ammunition were confiscated.
“Two of their vehicles that were used in the commission of this crime were also impounded as part of the evidence in acourt of law.”
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