Eleven suspects appeared in the Giyani Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 12 December 2025, facing charges linked to a violent feud between rival taxi associations operating the Giyani-Malamulele route.
The court proceedings followed a well-coordinated, intelligence-driven operation on Wednesday, 10 December 2025, which led to the initial arrest of 14 male suspects aged between 25 and 67. Police believe this group is connected to a series of incidents that began in October 2025 and continued into December. During the operation, authorities also confiscated two patrol vehicles belonging to one of the associations as part of the ongoing investigation.
Of the 14 originally detained, eight suspects were subsequently released after police could not directly link them to the offences.
The remaining eleven faced the court on various charges stemming from the conflict, which has resulted in eight registered cases—including intimidation, robbery, and assault. Four incidents were reported in October, with another four occurring in December.
The magistrate released three suspects on a warning:
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Risimati Dam Ngonyama (67) – charged with common assault.
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Rodney Chauke (25) – charged with common robbery, common assault, and intimidation.
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Hlamulo Mathebula (37) – charged with common robbery, common assault, and intimidation.
Seven suspects were granted R500 bail each:
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Tito Chabalala (42) – assault and robbery.
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Abednigo Mathonsi (29) – assault and robbery.
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Kenneth Maluleke (54) – assault and robbery.
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Joel Makhuvele (34) – assault.
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Defferent Chabalala (42) – assault and robbery.
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Matimba Ishmael Matye (39) – assault and robbery.
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Kulani Mtileni (38) – assault and robbery.
One suspect received a higher bail amount:
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Xikombiso Justice Maluleke (38) – released on R1,000 bail facing charges of robbery, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), and intimidation.
All accused are scheduled to make their second court appearance at the Giyani Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 30 January 2026.
Police investigations into the taxi violence are continuing.
