Suspects linked to taxi boss Vusi 'Khekhe' Mathibela to remain behind bars
Two suspects, linked to a notorious Mamelodi taxi boss Vusi 'Khekhe' Mathibela, will remain behind bars after making their first appearance in court.
Elias Skhosana and Stemmer Monageng, who are believed to be part of a syndicate that extorts money from Mamelodi residents, appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates Court on Monday.
They are facing charges of extortion and intimidation.
The charges follow various complaints from community members that a 'syndicate' in the area extorts a R200 fee from local business and taxi operators.
The fee is allegedly for a 'security service' and collected every Tuesday.
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Skhosana was arrested on Saturday near his home while Monageng was arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning in Bronkhorstspruit.
The state asked for court for a postponement of a week, but this was opposed by both defence teams.
Skhosana's legal representative Solly Mkhabela labelled the court's actions as an abuse of power, while Monageng's lawyer described it as a “clear travesty of justice”.
The two parties agreed to be back in court on March 15.
Listen to what the NPA in Gauteng’s Phindi Mjonondwane had to say:
Earlier this month Police Minister Bheki Cele launched a crime combat and reaction team in Mamelodi to fight crime.
The 100 member team will deal with all cases of crime and aims to put a stop to the notorious syndicate.