Mamelodi residents help bust alleged extortion scheme
Police have urged communities to continue reporting criminal activity as investigations into the alleged extortion network continue.
Two suspects have been arrested after residents of Silahliwe informal settlement in Mamelodi East reported an alleged extortion scheme. Community members were reportedly intimidated into paying for illegal electricity connections.
Gauteng SAPS spokesperson, Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, said the suspects, aged 35 and 46, were arrested during an operation conducted in Mamelodi East on July 14.
According to police, residents of the Silahliwe informal settlement alleged they were forced to pay money in exchange for illegal electricity connections after being intimidated by the suspects.
Police said the alleged scheme began in October 2025, when the suspects reportedly began collecting money from 150 households while promising to facilitate unlawful electricity connections.
The matter came to light on July 13, when 23 community members reported the allegations to SAPS Mamelodi East Police Station.
An extortion case was subsequently registered before being referred for further investigation.
Members of Crime Intelligence and the Mamelodi East Crime Prevention Unit later conducted an operation, and arrested two suspects allegedly linked to the scheme.
Sibeko said investigations are continuing as officers search for two additional suspects believed to have been involved.
The arrested suspects are expected to appear soon in the Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court on charges of extortion.
Gauteng SAPS welcomed the role residents played in exposing the alleged criminal activity.
“Gauteng police have welcomed the co-operation shown by the community and encouraged residents to continue reporting activities,” said Sibeko.
She encouraged residents to report anonymously through the SAPS Crime Stop number, 086 0010 111, or via the MySAPS App.
These arrests are part of ongoing police efforts to address extortion-related crimes in affected communities via information provided by the affected residents.
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