Five suspects are expected to appear in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, October 17, facing extortion charges.
They were arrested yesterday, October 15.
According to the police’s spokesperson, Captain Magonseni Nkosi, the suspects extorted close to R100 000 from two businessmen who work in the mining industry in Ermelo over a period of five months.
One victim paid more than R30 000 between July and August to be allowed to operate his business. The second was forced to pay more than R55 000 in protection fees from May to September.
“The victims decided to report them to the police, as they could no longer afford the money or to keep getting threatened,” Nkosi said.
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The SAPS immediately started an investigation and instructed the victims to arrange a meeting with the suspects in Breyten yesterday, October 16, for negotiations.
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“During this meeting, the victims were held hostage, but the police officers already knew their location. Four of the suspects were arrested on the spot. The investigation led to the mine where the fifth suspect was also arrested,” said Nkosi.
