Two male suspects, both aged 33 appeared before the Ga-rankuwa Magistrates’ Court on charges of business robbery and extortion.
The suspects’ court appearance stems from their arrests on Sunday morning, 24 August 2025, following investigations into the reported case of business robbery.
Reports suggest that the suspects entered a tuckshop owned by a foreign national at about 19:00 on Saturday, 23 August 2025, at Extension 2, Mothotlung outside Brits and accused the owner of selling liquor.
One of the suspects allegedly demanded money from the tuckshop owner.
The pair then took various food items and cold drinks worth R650,00 and fled from the scene.
The incident was reported to the police and that led to the arrest of the suspects after being linked to the crimes.
In reacting to the incident, the Acting Provincial Commissioner of North West, Major General Asaneng said, the South African Police Service would like to send a strong message and warning with these arrests that lawlessness, vigilantism and extortion by anyone will be dealt with decisively regardless of who is involved.
He said further that the SAPS recognises and encourages communities to be part of their local Community Policing Forums and not unlawful extra judicial structures such as Operation Dudula, which seek to usurp the work of the police and to undermine the authority of the state.
“While the Constitution of the Republic recognises and guarantees freedom of association and the right to protest, it must be equally clear that these rights are not extended to vigilante or criminal groupings and gangs whose main objective is to promote anarchy, insurrection and to undermine the rule of law,” he said.
