Five suspects arrested for extortion in Ermelo

Five suspects appeared in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on October 17 for allegedly extorting money from two employees of a mine in the area.

The suspects are said to have taken nearly R100 000 from their two victims over five months.

One victim lost more than R30 000.

He was victimised for two months, from July to August, to be allowed to operate at the mine.

The second victim was forced to pay more than R55 000 as a protection fee. His ordeal continued for five months, from June to October, when he also decided to report the matter to the police.

According to information, the suspects demanded payment on October 15, but the victims could no longer afford the money and faced threats from the suspects.

The victims agreed to meet them in Breyten for negotiations.

However, they were captured and held hostage.

The police had already been investigating the case and found the location where the victims were being held.

Four suspects were arrested at the scene, and a fifth was found at the mine and also apprehended.

The acting provincial police commissioner, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, encouraged the victims of crime to report it immediately to allow the law enforcement to clamp down on it.

“We are committed to create a safer environment for all, including extortion-related offences victims,” he said.

The case was postponed to October 24 and the suspects were remanded in custody for further investigation.