Vala Umgodi nabs seven for extortion

Seven suspects, who were arrested for two counts of extortion and attempted murder, were scheduled to appear in the Praktiseer Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, May 13.

Mahlomola Mohlala (27), Vusimuzi Gale (32), Thabiso Mohlala (36), Lucky Nkosi (33), Mashoto Makofane (28), Phazy Lengwati (22) and Mogau Mamogale (36) first appeared in the same court on May 6 and were remanded in custody pending their bail application.

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According to Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Limpopo’s police spokesperson, members of the Vala Umgodi Operation were dispatched to a mining site in Driekop on May 5, following an alleged extortion incident in which the suspects had barricaded the road with their vehicles and were demanding money from truck drivers before allowing them to pass.

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“A complainant, who was a service provider at the mine, was also threatened by the suspects and ordered to give them money. Upon arrival at the scene, the police found the mine’s trucks blocked and the group of suspects was spotted. They fired shots at the officers and police retaliated. One suspect was shot and seven others were arrested. Emergency medical services were called to the scene and the suspect was declared dead. His identity is currently being withheld pending further investigations,” added Ledwaba.

During the arrest, the SAPS confiscated a firearm with four rounds of live ammunition and five cellphones.

“The suspects’ vehicles were also confiscated as part of investigations,” he said.

Ledwaba said another group of suspects committed a similar offence in the area in April.