Five accused extortionists who allegedly targeted residents of the Efata complex for the deaf and blind in Mthatha have been denied bail.
The local magistrate’s court turned down the applications of Nkosiphendule Mseswa, Boyce Kani, Sthembiso Mbube, Bongile Mnyanda and Nolimlandelo Pamla.
They would allegedly demand payments from the disabled residents in the Mthatha West informal settlement complex of Chris Hani Park.
According to NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali, the accused went to the homestead of one of the victims, where they demanded keys after she failed to pay “rent” for the house she had called home for more than 14 years.
“It is alleged that Mseswa and Pamla, who are husband and wife, are headman and sub-headman of part of Chris Hani informal, respectively, who are not recognised by the Department of Co-operative Government and Traditional Affairs. Kani is also an alleged self-proclaimed board member and the other three are allegedly their right-hand men who provided muscle in their alleged activities.
“They had allegedly been collecting money from the victims who had been residents at the complex that is owned by Imfesane Trust, which inherited the complex from the erstwhile Transkei Homeland.
“They had been demanding the rent from the residents under the guise that the land at which the settlement is situated had successfully been restituted to the Mthatha West community, which questionably settled there after 1994, long after the complex was built,” said Tyali.
Arguing against their release on bail, State prosecutor Prince Nofemela stated that the complainants, all of whom are either blind or deaf, had been harassed by the accused and their handlers using threats.
“Their lives would be in danger if they are released on bail and one of the accused had a pending case of murder against him,” said Nofemela.
Eastern Cape director of public prosecutions Barry Madolo committed to working hand-in-hand with the police to guide investigations and ensure that the “kingpins” of the extortion rackets in Mthatha West are all brought to book.
Meanwhile, a 24/7 Hotline has been launched in Mthatha which has been identified as a hot spot for extortion in Eastern Cape.
Currently, there are 27 suspects behind bars in connection with 11 cases. Most of them are linked to more than one case of extortion.
Provincial commissioner Nomthetheleli Mene expressed confidence that the Extortion Hotline would assist in curbing the challenges of “protection fees”, especially if the public came forward to report such incidents.
Mthatha, along with Gqerberha, has been boosted with additional police. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said this was to crack the whip on violent crimes linked to extortion and gangs operating in the areas.
Cape Times