Benoni taxi drivers accused of attacking ‘drug dealer’ granted bail
The matter has been transferred to the Benoni Regional Court for March 10.
The four taxi drivers who were arrested in January for attacking a suspected drug dealer from Barcelona, Etwatwa, have been granted bail.
The Benoni Taxi Association members appeared in the Daveyton Magistrates Court on February 22 facing three counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and one count of kidnapping.
The complainant was attacked during their clean-up operation aimed at targeting drug dealers and users in Benoni and Daveyton.
Members of the Benoni Taxi Association told police that they allegedly found the complainant in possession of ammunition and drugs. Police then arrived at the Benoni Taxi Rank after receiving a tip-off about a man that is being assaulted.
Videos and photos of the alleged incident have been making the rounds on social media following their arrest.
During the formal bail hearing, members of Operation Dudula, other taxi drivers, their friends and relatives gathered in court to show support.
Magistrate Vinny Gobind granted accused one to three R5 000 bail each while accused four got R2 000 bail.
The matter has been transferred to the Benoni Regional Court for March 10.
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