The Shadow of Extortion: The Tale of Bonke Makalala and Long-Distance Bus Turmoil

In a revelatory twist to the Intercape bus attack saga, the infamous Eastern Cape taxi boss Bonke Makalala has surfaced as a pivotal figure in the orchestrated campaign of violence and extortion against long-distance bus operators.

Makalala, grappling with serious charges including murder, impersonation of a police officer, and gun-related offenses, has been linked to coercive efforts, compelling bus companies to hike fares and concede to unreasonable demands. A stark contrast to assertions made by South African Police Service (SAPS) provincial commanders and the Hawks, who under oath, denied evidence of organized crime in the recurring assaults on Intercape buses.

A significant piece of evidence presented by Intercape highlighted Makalala’s participation in a meeting last March where he laid out taxi bosses’ conditions to 'normalize' the situation, which included inflating ticket prices. The recommendation by Eastern Cape high court for law enforcement to probe the violence as organized crime was met with appeals by both SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), rather than delving into the pointed evidence.

In recent months, Makalala has frequented Western Cape magistrate’s courts on separate serious criminal counts. His arrest last December was for allegations dating back to events between 2018 and 2019. While incarcerated, further allegations suggest he attempted to bribe prison officials.

The confrontation between long-distance bus operators and taxi associations reached a head in a contentious meeting on 28 March 2022. Intercape CEO Johann Ferreira, boldly standing his ground, refused to yield to the aggressive terms outlined by Makalala at the meeting, despite facing significant operational challenges due to ongoing violence.

Ferreira’s stern refusal to succumb to intimidation exposed a grave concern that such criminal endeavors enrich those instigating the violence. Moreover, Makalala capitalized on the tumult he's associated with by launching his bus service, Makalala Trans, thus directly benefiting from the void left by buses he allegedly helped drive out.

Despite compelling evidence suggesting racketeering activity under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA), imparted by an unyielding Ferreira, law enforcement and prosecutorial entities have yet to address the gravity of these allegations rigorously.

Amidst this entanglement of extortion and aggression, the arrest of Makalala in a coordinated operation signals an understanding of his alleged prominence in a broader criminal landscape. Police Minister Bheki Cele’s reference to Makalala while addressing national crime lends weight to the taxi boss’s notoriety.

The chilling aftermath of violence indirectly linked to Makalala includes the death of a police constable suspected to testify against him. As investigations continue, the gravity of the underworld Makalala is purported to navigate comes to light, calling for a vigilant and robust response from law enforcement agencies grappling with the convoluted web of organized crime in the transport sector.