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Eastern Cape suspects arrested for protection fee

Police and private security have arrested two persons in the Eastern Cape. The suspects have been taken in for extortion allegations.

by Siseko Gwegwe

25-08-2023 14:38

in Eastern Cape

Truck driver arrested for staging hijacking and robbery. Image: Pixel.

Extortion cases are spreading throughout South Africa, including the Eastern Cape. The latest case has led to the arrest of two suspects in the Amathole District.

EASTERN CAPE: PROTECTION FEE SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN STUTTERHEIM

According to the police report, the pair was nabbed while travelling from a business operation where extortion money was taken from foreign nationals.

The police and private security received a tip-off that the suspects were set to execute an operation in the Eastern Cape town on Tuesday afternoon.

“Two suspects aged 33 and 35 were arrested by the Hawks Kidnapping task team in a joint intelligence-driven operation with Provincial Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) and Magma Security members in Stutterheim on Thursday, 24 August 2023, for allegations of extortion,” police Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said.

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“On 22 August 2023 information was received about suspects collecting protection fee in Stutterheim from the businesses of foreign nationals.

“Information was followed and the team planned an operation for 24 August 2023. At about 14:30, the suspects allegedly collected money from one of the businesses and were heading towards the direction of Engen garage on foot when they were approached by the members and were apprehended on the spot.

With the cash also recovered from the suspects, the pair will appear at Stutterheim Magistrate’s Court, Eastern Cape, in the coming days.

“The joint effort of the team that is hell-bent on eradicating the mushrooming extortion criminal tendencies is once more commended by the Provincial Head Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya,” Captain Yolisa Mgolodela concluded.

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STUTTERHEIM ECONOMY

The town, located 70 kilometres from East London, is home to a rich forestry space. The annual rainfall allows for pine, gum and wattle plantations along the Kologha mountains.