A famous South African actor and his two accomplices are set to appear in the Booysens Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 15 July 2019 on charges of impersonating police officials, kidnapping, extortion and other array of charges.
The trio aged between 27 and 38 were arrested on Friday afternoon, 12 July 2019 during a Hawks operation at South Gate Mall, south of Johannesburg when they allegedly attempted to extort money from a businessman.
It is alleged the businessman was contacted by one of the suspects in June this year and claimed that he was referred to him by his partner. They met at a mutual place in Isando, however on his arrival he was pressurized to drive with the suspect to a house in Klopperpark, east of Johannesburg.
On their arrival the complainant alleged that the suspect took out diamonds, placed on the table and from nowhere they were joined by two other suspects who presented themselves as police officials. They immediately demanded a R100 000 bribe from the businessman to squash the illegal diamond deal.
He had some money in his wallet which they took. They went further and they demanded to view the complainant’s bank balance on his mobile phone. They allegedly forcibly took him and proceeded to Kempton Park and Fourways where he managed to withdraw R31 000 and was released thereafter.
The businessman ordeal was reported to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team on Wednesday. On Friday the team managed to set up a drop-off at South Gate Mall where the balance would be paid. One of the suspects jumped into the complainant’s vehicle to collect the money and he was arrested after the exchange.
The two other suspects who were in two separate vehicles attempted to escape after witnessing the arrest but they were apprehended following a chase not far from the crime scene.
The three face seven charges of impersonating police officials, extortion, theft, kidnapping, corruption, defeating the ends of justice and aiding a criminal.
