The owner of Century Property Developments, Mark Arthur Corbett and his family, have been the victims of cyber-terrorism.
“The campaign of cyber-terrorism has traumatised the families of Century and Tintswalo for the last nine months. One instance included a grotesque image of one of the family, disfigured and bleeding,” commented Michelle Townsend, property portfolio manager.
Townsend added that the South African Police Service recently executed a search-and-seizure warrant relating to the suspected perpetrators of the cyber-terrorism waged against businesses and individuals in Gauteng, as well as the families of Century and Tintswalo owners.
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According to New24, Corbett said in an affidavit that he, his family, employees, business partners and anyone connected to him began receiving threatening, untraceable emails. Aside from death threats, bomb threats were directed at his company’s malls and lodges.
The accused affected by the warrant have launched High Court proceedings for the return of the seized items. Court proceedings are pending in the Johannesburg High Court.
“Because the investigation is currently still ongoing, the families have asked not to be pursued for further information as further disclosures at this stage may jeopardise the case and put their lives and those of their children in danger,” said Townsend.
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Advocate Jean Berdou claimed that the dispute was a personal vendetta and business dispute with the threats being in Johannesburg. He said, “The use of terror-type tactics in personal disputes is to be condemned. If one has an issue with another, sort it out with them.”
He said that the entire community was affected by the bomb threats and that this was entirely unacceptable. He further said that emergency services, police, neighbourhood watch and community police forum resources had to be mobilised to protect community members.
“The loss of profit, the inconvenience to community members and the waste of resources were enormous. The Community Police Forum and Future City Fourways condemns this type of behaviour and trusts that the perpetrators shall face their day in court,” said Berdou.
The accused have attempted to suppress evidence in court.
Berdou added that the names were made public as Bruce Heafield and his wife Marianne, along with their son-in-law, Pedro Ridrigues.
Corbett and his family have a serious security contingent and apparently, a top legal team is running the case.
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