Eight extortion-accused police members and a former cop allegedly demanded R28 000 from a shopkeeper when they had burst into the store wanting to conduct a search of the premises without a search warrant.

These details emerged at the first court appearance of the suspects at the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

Jerome Davids, 41, Nomampondomise Mvane, 24, Peter September, 43, Dylon Loodder, 28, Thandolwethu Pendu, 37, Akhona Silo, 29, Phakamani Mtheli, 34, and Unathi Mlilwana, 33, face charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, extortion, use of a vehicle without consent of the owner and defeating the administration of justice.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, said the ninth accused, Mthandazo Gqalaqha, a former officer, was added to the matter after his co-accused appeared.

“(The State) added former police officer, Mthandazo Gqalaqha, 42, and withdrew against two others.

“He is facing the same charges as the other eight accused,” said Ntabazalila.

The case was postponed to October 22 for bail proceedings.

Magistrate Alida Theart said media applications to capture images and footage of the accused inside court could not be granted on Wednesday as an identity parade was yet to be conducted. Legal counsel for all accused objected to the applications.

During court proceedings, Sydney Tsotso representing Silo and Mlilwana, said that his clients had been brought before court outside the prescribed 48-hour detention period after being arrested which “encroached on their constitutional rights”.

The State argued that the period lapsed outside of court hours and had been brought before court on the immediate court day following the lapsed period owing to investigations that were still being conducted.

State prosecutor Randall Cupido said the information they had gathered against the accused included statements, CCTV footage, and an automatic vehicle locating (AVL) report.

According to Cupido, the footage was obtained on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi on Wednesday said a 38-year-old constable will appear at the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on Thursday after he was found in possession of a prohibited firearm (a 9mm), ammunition, and six ecstasy tablets on Wednesday.

The cop – stationed at Maitland 10111 Call Centre – was arrested at a residence in Kumande Bali Street, Mandela Park by members of Khayelitsha Tactical Response Team.

Cape Times