A 45-year-old businessman is scheduled to appear before the Acornhoek Magistrate’s Court on charges of extortion and possession of an unlicensed firearm with ammunition.

The man was arrested at his Athurseat Trust business on Monday, November 17, following an incident on Friday, November 14.

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On that day, a group of 12 people, believed to be members of the Acornhoek Community Forum, reportedly stopped an articulated truck along the R40 road at 15:30, warning the driver not to use the road again.

The truck normally travels between Phalaborwa in Limpopo and Mbombela.

According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Captain Mpho Nonyane-Mpe, it is further alleged that the truck driver was being warned for the second time on Friday that day.

He contacted colleagues from his trucking company, and when they arrived at the scene, they were confronted by the group with several demands.

“Approximately twelve members of the Acornhoek forum demanded that the company hire three truck drivers from the area. They instructed the company to bring management next week to finalise the agreement and pay a monthly protection fee,” said Nonyane-Mpe. “The group allegedly threatened that failure to comply would result in the company’s trucks being prohibited from using the R40.”

The matter was reported to the Acornhoek police, who later traced the suspect to his business premises.

“Upon arrival, the suspect was searched and found in possession of a firearm with ammunition. He was arrested and charged.” concluded Nonyane-Mpe.