POTCHEFSTROOM – Three accused, Aron Mphosela (29), Daniel Malinga (36) and Mojalefa Pule (42) were granted R500-00 bail each when they appeared before the Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 14 September 2022, for extortion, trespassing and intimidation. This is after the trio was nabbed on Monday, 12 September 2022, for entering a construction site without authorisation, threatened employees with violence and stopped them from working. 

According to information, the accused threatened and forced the contractor to leave Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court which he was appointed to renovate in March 2020. Although the construction work delayed, it resumed in July 2022. Allegedly, members of Provincial Organised Crime Unit received information on Wednesday, 07 September 2022, that a group of unknown males forcefully entered the construction site and threatened the employees with violence. An enquiry was opened for investigation.

On Monday, 12 September 2022, a tip-off was received that the same group went back to the construction site to intimidate employees. Consequently, a prompt response by the Provincial Organised Crime Unit members led to apprehension of the accused who are expected to reappear at the Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 28 September 2022.

The police would like to encourage contractors who are intimidated by gangs in various parts of the province to report such occurrences. 

The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena extolled the Provincial Organised Crime Unit members for their swift response and subsequent arrest of the accused. He reiterated that those who intimidate employees and interrupt operations at construction sites will be shown no mercy. 

Source: South African Police Service