The Bethal Magistrate’s Court sentenced five taxi patrollers on Tuesday after they pleaded guilty to three counts of assault and malicious injury to property.

Philip Isaih Mahlangu (57), Peter Mandla Mhlanga (45), Machawe Samuel Mdluli (26), Selby Wiseman Mtshweni (47) and Tonono Patric Makhubedu (40) received fines with parts suspended for five years.

The offences took place on 12 December 2025 in Bethal, Mpumalanga.

Viral Video Triggers Arrests and Guilty Pleas

A female passenger filmed the assaults and shared the footage, which quickly went viral on social media.

In the first incident, the taxi patrollers approached a woman hitchhiking, told her to return to the rank, then assaulted her and damaged her cellphone when she explained she was late.

In the second, they assaulted a mother and her 14-year-old daughter who had decided to hitchhike after long delays at the rank.

National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Monica Nyuswa confirmed the details.

Taxi Association Takes Responsibility

The Bethal Taxi Association acknowledged responsibility for its members’ actions during mitigation.

The association stressed that firm consequences were needed to deter similar behaviour and restore public trust in taxi services.

State prosecutor Brilliant Khoza highlighted in aggravation that taxi ranks were once seen as safe places but have increasingly become sites of unlawful control by patrollers.

NPA Welcomes Outcome

Monica Nyuswa said the NPA welcomes the sentences and remains committed to pursuing violent offenders to send a strong message.

No further statements have come from the convicted men or their legal representatives.