MURRAYSBURG NEWS - Twelve persons accused of extorting financial gain from a representative of a wind energy construction company have been released on bail.
According to Sergeant Chris Spies, Southern Cape police spokesperson, the incident occurred during a meeting held by the construction company representative in Murraysburg on 23 September.
The accused allegedly threatened to target the employees of the construction company, cause road closures, and burn the company’s trucks that are used to transport wind turbine components.
Focus on extortion syndicates
Spies confirmed that ten of the suspects were arrested for intimidation and extortion on Friday 31 October after a combined operation by Western Cape Crime Investigation Unit members, the Central Karoo Flying Squad, and Public Order Policing units at various premises in Graaff-Reinet.
At the time Spies stated that these arrests form part of ongoing efforts to dismantle extortion syndicates threatening the economy of the Central Karoo region and that more arrests could be made as the investigation unfolds.
The regional spokesperson for the Western Cape division of the National Prosecuting Authority, Eric Ntabazalila, has since confirmed that two more accused were arrested on Monday 3 November.
First court appearances
The ten accused who were arrested on 31 October – seven men and three women – appeared in court on Monday 3 November, and the two accused who were arrested on Monday 3 November – one man and one woman – appeared in court on Tuesday 4 November. All of them were released on bail.
According to Ntabazalila, extortion is a Schedule 1 offence, hence bail was set to the amount of R2 000 per person. Ntabazalila confirmed that there were conditions attached to the bail, including that the accused may not enter Murraysburg except for appearing in court.
They may also not directly or indirectly contact any state witnesses or any of the construction company employees based in Murraysburg.
Identities not disclosed
The identities of the accused - eight men and four women between the ages of 35 and 64 - and the victim are known to the Graaff-Reinet Advertiser.
The victim’s identity may not be made public since this is an ongoing police investigation, and the particulars of victims or witnesses are normally not disclosed during the course of such investigations.
However, the identities of the accused persons will be published as soon as they have pleaded.
Next court date
The case has been postponed to 11 December for further investigation.
The 12 accused initially appeared in the Beaufort West Magistrate’s Court but, according to Spies, their next court appearance will be in the Murraysburg Magistrate’s Court.
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