Bail application for extortion-accused continues
The accused briefly appeared in court on Monday when the bail hearing was set for February 6.
The bail application of Rashid Bopape on charges of extortion and blackmail continues in the Mamelodi magistrate’s court.
The accused briefly appeared in court on Monday when the bail hearing was postponed to February 6.
The accused and his alleged conspirators were arrested after residents of Heatherly flats in Nellmapius ext.22 laid the charges against them.
Senior prosecutor advocate Anne Marie Bendeman said the accused are facing 27 counts of extortion, and the state might add more later.
“Tebogo Mosibi, a female co-accused, was released on a fixed bail of R5 000,” said Bendeman.
She said Mosibi was granted bail on condition she did not contact or intimidate the complainants, reported to the police station three times a week, and must stay away from the flats.
Police had arrested eight people for allegedly demanding flat residents pay rent and for other services to them, and those who were unable to pay were kicked out, and their flats were sold for R15 000.
The Department of Human Settlements also claimed the complainants were illegal occupants who invaded the flats in 2019.
Sithembiso Mkhize of the department said it remains committed to evicting the invaders as soon as possible.
Mkhize said the Heatherly flats were meant as affordable rental stock.
“The flats should be handed to the rightful beneficiaries,” said Mkhize.
Mkhize said the department is working closely with the courts, developers, and police to execute eviction orders against these illegal acts of house invasion.
The department encouraged people in Nellmapius to report all criminal activity to the police and the national anti-corruption hotline on 0800 701 701 or send an email to EthicsDHS@gauteng.gov.za.
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