Four suspects arrested for extortion

Police from the Gauteng Organised Crime Investigation Unit and Johannesburg Metro Police Department have arrested four suspects for extortion and intimidation in the Johannesburg CBD this week. It is alleged that eight males confronted the employees of a construction company and demanded 30% of their income for the construction to continue, and that amount should be paid every month. Information was relayed to the police, and members of South African Police Service and the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) responded swiftly and found the suspects still on the site. Upon seeing the police, four suspects ran away, and four other suspects were arrested. Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni, commended the members of SAPS and JMPD for responding swiftly and arresting the suspects, while still on the scene. "I'm grateful that the victims were able to call the law enforcement agencies, who responded timeously. Extortion and intimidation will not be tolerated within our province, and those involved in these criminal activities will be exposed and dealt with accordingly," said Mthombeni. The arrested suspects will be profiled to determine if they are involved in other similar cases. Source: South African Government News Agency