The Western Cape’s Anti-Economical Crime task has arrested two young men, accused of extorting businesses, after they were seen acting suspiciously at Browns Farm in Philippi.
This came as the police were targeting extortionists preying on spaza shop owners in the region on Monday, October 14.
At around 8am, police responded to information that five men, armed and engaged in extortion activities, were terrorising shopkeepers in the Kosovo and Samora Machel areas.
The Western Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie said after arriving on the scene, officers were directed by the public to Philippi, where the suspects had reportedly moved to continue their illegal operations.
A swift search led them to Browns Farm, where two men, aged 20 and 22, were found carrying blue backpacks and acting suspiciously.
A search revealed a plastic bag containing an undisclosed amount of coins and cigarettes, believed to have been taken from the targeted shops.
Following questioning, the two suspects led the police to two addresses in Covid informal settlement, Mfuleni.
At the first location, officers uncovered an assault rifle hidden under a mattress. At the second, they found two prohibited firearms.
Both suspects have been detained at Mfuleni police station and are expected to appear in the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court, where charges will be brought against them.
IOL News