BELHAR – A woman was robbed of her cellphone in Belhar after a taxi allegedly stopped alongside her and a sliding door operator jumped out, grabbed her device and fled back into the vehicle before it sped away.
The incident, which was captured on video and later circulated widely on social media, reportedly took place in broad daylight. Footage shows the woman standing near the roadside when the minibus taxi suddenly stops next to her. Within seconds, a man believed to be the taxi’s sliding door operator exits the vehicle, snatches the cellphone from the woman and runs back into the taxi as it drives off from the scene.
The robbery sparked widespread reaction online after the video began circulating across community platforms and social media pages.
Following the release of the footage, the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) reportedly viewed the video and launched efforts to trace the taxi involved in the incident. The association was subsequently able to identify and locate the driver linked to the vehicle seen in the footage.
According to information surrounding the incident, the stolen cellphone was later recovered after CODETA intervened and traced those involved. The device was reportedly returned to the victim shortly afterwards.
It is understood that the woman chose not to open a criminal case following the recovery of her cellphone.
No arrests have been confirmed and it remains unclear whether the alleged suspect or the taxi driver involved will face internal disciplinary action or criminal investigation.
The incident has renewed concerns around crimes committed using public transport vehicles, particularly opportunistic robberies where suspects are able to quickly flee scenes using taxis operating in busy areas.
Community members have also highlighted the growing role of surveillance footage and viral social media videos in helping identify suspects and vehicles connected to criminal incidents. In several recent cases across the country, footage shared online has assisted organisations, security groups and law enforcement agencies in tracing individuals linked to crimes.
Police have repeatedly urged residents to remain vigilant when using cellphones in public spaces, especially near roadsides, transport hubs and taxi routes where criminals may target unsuspecting pedestrians.
