The seven police officers and an informant arrested for allegedly attempting to extort R100 000 from a shop owner in Phoenix, Durban were all granted R7 000 bail after a brief appearance in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
The officers, Stallone Singh, Mathakene Mashabela, Zakhele Makhubela, Nicholas Nxuza, Xolani Sishi, Thamsanqa Dlamini, Phiwayinkosi Zulu, and informant Deon Naidoo, were arrested on Sunday and Monday.
Some of the men were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit
Hawks’ spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo said one of the accused identified himself as a Durban-based police officer.
“The shop owner was carrying out his usual business when a man entered and bought three boxes of cigarettes. He left and returned with accomplices, claiming that the cigarettes being sold were illicit,” Mhlongo said.
The shop owner was then allegedly taken to the Phoenix Police Station, where a payment was demanded for his release.
“They seized all the stock of cigarettes from the shop and took the owner with them. They instructed him to call his wife to bring R100 000 for his release and the return of his stock,” Mhlongo added.
The Hawks were alerted to the extortion attempt and intervened.
The suspects arranged to meet with the wife in Ottawa, where she handed over R79 500. Immediately after the transaction, Hawks members arrested them.
Police seized the money, a Ford Ranger, and various firearms. The accused were also required to surrender their passports as part of their bail conditions.
