Extortion and attempted murder suspects remanded to custody

PRAKTISEER – Seven suspects arrested for two counts of extortion and attempted murder appeared before the Praktiseer Magistrate’s Court on Monday and were remanded to custody until 13 May for bail application.
Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Limpopo Provincial Police spokesperson, said according to information in police disposal, members of the Vala Umgodi operations were summoned to the scene following an alleged extortion incident at a mining site, where the suspects had barricaded the road with their vehicles and demanded money from the mine truck drivers.
“The police arrived at the scene, and a group of suspects were spotted at the area, and when they noticed police, they ran into different directions. Shots were fired during the incident, whereby one of the suspects sustained gunshot wounds. Police managed to arrest the seven suspects. A case of extortion was opened for further police investigations,” explained Ledwaba.
He added that preliminary investigations found that the same group of suspects committed a similar offence in the area during April.
“The vehicles belonging to the suspects were confiscated from the scene as part of investigations,” stated Ledwaba.
The suspects are, Mahlomola Mohlala (27), Vusimuzi Gale (32), Thabiso Mohlala (36), Lucky Nkosi (33), Mashoto Makofane (28), Phazy Lengwati (22) and Mogau Mamogale (36).