KEY POINTS
-
Police halted a violent mine extortion scheme in Limpopo.
-
One suspect died in a shootout with responding officers.
-
Several suspects face charges related to the extortion attempt.
A violent extortion attempt at a Limpopo mine culminated in carnage when police fatally shot one suspect and captured three others.
Police intercept extortionists behind Limpopo mine operation
On May 6, police in Limpopo detained five males, aged 31 to 46, pursuing an extortion operation at a Driekop-area mine.
Police spokesperson Col. Malesela Ledwaba said the suspects blocked 22 mine vehicles and demanded cash before allowing any activities to continue.
According to Ledwaba, the organization also ordered a mine service provider to turn over a recently received payment after threatening him.
The suspects opened fire on officers from Operation Vala Umgodi as soon as they arrived, and officers promptly returned fire.
During the encounter, a 27-year-old suspect was shot by police; medical personnel pronounced him dead at the spot.
Since investigations into the incident and individuals engaged in the crime are still underway, authorities have concealed the identify of the deceased suspect.
More arrests follow Limpopo mine extortion investigation by police
During the arrests at the mining site, police confiscated five smartphones and seized a handgun that contained four live rounds.
Officers continued the crackdown later that day by patrolling illegal mining sites in Leeufontein Village, which is under the Marble Hall policing area.
According to Iol, seven other suspects, ages 20 to 45, were detained by police for breaking immigration restrictions while working close to the illicit mining location.
According to Ledwaba, police are still conducting their investigations and all detained suspects will soon appear in the local magistrate’s court.
