Pretoria police call on public to report extortion
"Businesses are forced to pay these groups because they are being threatened."
Local police are calling on communities to report groups extorting and terrorising businesses in and around Pretoria.
Tshwane District Commissioner, Major General Mohajane has established a task team to monitor groups operating mainly in Tshwane townships.
In recent months, various groups operating in Atteridgeville, Soshanguve, Hammanskraal and Mamelodi have been taking money from small businesses claiming they were hired to protect them, said police spokesperson Captain Augustinah Selepe.
“These groups hijack buildings and claim to be in charge of security.
“At the end of the month, these groups demand business owners to pay them anything from R500 to R2 000,” Selepe said.
“Businesses are forced to pay these groups because they are being threatened.
“It is alleged that these groups coerce local businesses and hijack community projects,” Selepe added.
She urged the public to report any illegal criminal activities by such groups.
Any information on criminal activities can be reported anonymously at 082-771-1001 or download #MySAPSApp to report crime.
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