Five (05) suspects aged between 31 and 46 were arrested for extortion cases, on Tuesday, 06 May 2025. This comes after, members of Operation Vala Umgodi in the Sekhukhune District were summoned to the scene of extortion at one of the mines in Driekop Policing area.
According to reports, a group of suspects blocked about twenty-two (22) mine trucks and demanded money as a condition, before they could load any minerals.
Another complainant who was a service provider at the mine was also threatened by the suspects, and ordered to give them money from the payment he received from the mine.
Upon arrival at the scene, they found the mine trucks blocked, and a group of suspects was also spotted, whereby the suspects noticed the Police and fired shots at the direction of the Police.
Police retaliated, and one suspect aged 27 was shot at, and five suspects were then arrested. Emergency Medical Services were summoned to the scene, and he was certified dead. His identity is currently withheld pending further investigations.
During the arrest Police confiscated 1x firearm with 04x live ammunition and 05x cellphones.
The team proceeded to Leeufontein Village in the Marble Hall Policing area, for patrols,stop and searches at the illegal mining sites. Seven (07) suspects aged between 20 and 45 were arrested for contravention of immigration laws.
The arrested suspects will appear before the local Magistrate’s Court soon.
The police investigations are ongoing.
Five suspects nabbed and one fatally wounded during extortion incident at Driekop policing precincthttps://t.co/IlTJMskcPm#ArriveAlive #Crime @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/SNUncXqoVH
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) May 8, 2025
