Fury as Heatherley flats ‘gang leader’ released on bail
The accused and his female accomplice were arrested after Heatherly flat residents complained to the police about a gang demanding money for rent and services.
Alleged gang leader who faces 27 counts of extortion for blackmailing residents in the Heatherley flats has been given R5 000 bail.
Patrick Rashid Bopape (47) was granted bail in Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court on February 12, sparking anger from residents.
Senior prosecutor Advocate Anne Marie Bendeman said the case was postponed to April 12 for further investigations.
She said the accused is facing 27 counts of extortion.
The accused and his alleged conspirators were arrested after residents of Heatherly flats in Nellmapius ext. 22 laid charges against them.
Bendeman said the bail conditions forbid Bopape from communicating with the witnesses and complainants.
The accused must not visit the flats and must report at the Mamelodi East police station between 06:00 to 18:00 three times a week.
“The accused must also surrender his passport to the investigating officer and must not leave Gauteng without informing the investigating officer,” she said.
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The female co-accused, Tebogo Mosibi, was released on fixed bail of R5 000 on January 22.
Bendeman said Mosibi was granted bail on condition she did not contact or intimidate the complainants, reported to the police station three times a week, and stayed away from the flats.
Police had arrested eight people for allegedly demanding that flat residents pay rent and for other services to them, and those who were unable to pay were kicked out, and their flats sold for R15 000.
The Department of Human Settlements also claimed the complainants were illegal occupants who had invaded the flats in 2019.
Spokesman Sithembiso Mkhize said the department remains committed to evicting the invaders as soon as possible.
Mkhize said the Heatherly flats were meant to be affordable rental stock.
“The flats should be handed to the rightful beneficiaries.”
Mkhize said the department is working closely with the courts, developers and police to execute eviction orders against these illegal house invaders.
The department encouraged people in Nellmapius to report all criminal activity to police and the national anti-corruption hotline on 0800 701 701 or send an email to EthicsDHS@gauteng.gov.za
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