Two members of an alleged gang believed to be blackmailing people for money from Heatherly Flats residents in Nellmapius ext. 22 are facing 14 accounts of extortion.
The police arrested eight suspects last Friday, but six were released on Monday at the Mamelodi Magistrate’s court.
The arrests were made after the residents from the flats complained to the police about a gang operating under the Boko Haram name demanding money for rent and services.
Those who were unable to pay were kicked out, and their flats were sold for R15 000.
Senior prosecutor Advocate Anne-Marie Bendeman said the police arrested eight suspects in connection with extortion, and two were charged with 14 counts of extortion.
She said the other six were released because they could not link them to the complaints.
“The two accused were charged with 14 counts of extortion, and they were remanded to appear on January 22 at the Mamelodi Magistrate’s court,” said Bendeman.
The residents, who wished not to be named, claimed the gang used force and threatened them with guns to evict residents failing to pay.
They also said they invaded the flats, because they had been on the RDP waiting list for years, and when they started living in the flats, there were no services.
The residents contributed money to connect electricity, bought pipes to connect water, and fixed the toilets.
“The alleged gang is calling themselves executives, but they are extorting money to benefit their own pockets and are working with a group of women,” they claimed.
One of the victims, Gaopelo Ngwatoane, said he had been staying at the flats since 2019.
He said they took over the flats because they were empty, and the criminals and drug addicts were going to the flats to hide.
However, late last year, the gang started demanding more money.
They claimed those who were unable to pay were kicked out, and their flats were sold to the next person.
“The gang leader came to my flat numerous times, demanding money and even trying to kick me out,” said Ngwatoane.
He said the gang broke into his flat on January 2, removed his furniture, assaulted him and demanded R7 000 because he was not staying in Mamelodi.
“The municipality is not asking us for money for the services, but the gang demands money for services.
“The gang has claimed some of the money will be used to build a brick wall around the block of flats for security,” said Ngwatoane.
He added that the majority of people staying at the flats depended on social grants to survive.
Other victims also claimed they were kicked out of the flats last October by the gang, including a mother and her blind child, because she could no longer afford to pay.
The residents, who were outside the court, were happy that the gang leader remained in police custody. However they claimed more gang members are on the run.
Rekord was still awaiting comment from Tshwane metro by the time of going to print.
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