FIVE MEMBERS OF BETHAL TAXI ASSOCIATION SENTENCED 

10 February 2026 

FIVE MEMBERS OF BETHAL TAXI ASSOCIATION SENTENCED 

Bethal, Mpumalanga – The Bethal Magistrates’ Court has sentenced five taxi patrollers affiliated with the Bethal Taxi Association after they pleaded guilty to charges of assault and malicious injury to property. The convicted accused are: Philip Isaih Mhlangu (57) – fined R10 000 or six months’ imprisonment, half suspended for five years, Peter Mandla Mhlanga (45) – fined R6 000 or four months’ imprisonment, half suspended for five years, Machawe Samuel Mdluli (26) – fined R4 000 or three months’ imprisonment, half suspended, Selby Wiseman Mtshweni (47) – fined R10 000 or six months’ imprisonment, half suspended for five years and Tonono Patric Makhubedu (40) – fined R6 000 or four months’ imprisonment, half suspended for five years. 

The accused pleaded guilty to three counts of assault and malicious injury to property. The offences occurred on 12 December 2025 in Bethal. In the first incident, a woman was hitchhiking when she was approached by the taxi patrollers, who informed her that hitchhiking was not permitted and instructed her to return to the taxi rank. When she explained that she was running late, the accused assaulted her, during which her cellphone was damaged. In the second incident, a mother and her 14-year-old daughter were assaulted by the same group after attempting to hitchhike. The victims had waited for a long time at the taxi rank and observed that taxis were not moving. A passenger who witnessed the assaults recorded the incidents on her cellphone. The video footage was later circulated on social media and went viral. An intensive police investigation followed, leading to the arrest of the accused, who subsequently pleaded guilty. 

In mitigation of sentence, the Taxi Association acknowledged responsibility for the conduct of its members and emphasised that firm legal consequences are necessary to deter similar conduct and restore public confidence in the safety of taxi services. In aggravation of sentence, State Prosecutor Brilliant Khoza submitted that taxi ranks were historically regarded as places of safety, traditionally assisting strangers and members of the public. This position has changed significantly, with increasing reports of taxi patrollers unlawfully assuming law-enforcement roles and exerting control over public roads. In severe cases, members of the public are seriously injured or killed. The State further argued that such conduct undermines public confidence in public transport systems and warrants appropriate punishment. 

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes these sentences and remains unwavering in its commitment to vigorously pursue perpetrators of violent crimes, sending a clear and firm message to would-be offenders. Ends 

Issued by:

Monica Nyuswa 

NPA Regional Spokesperson 

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions – Mpumalanga 

Tel: 013 045 0625 / 076 485 5446 

Email: mnyuswa@npa.gov.za