‘Extortionists’ allegedly killed woman, dismantled shacks of others who refused to pay

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Opens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowEnter fullscreen mode displaying this image.ExpandCase of alleged extortionists rolled over to Friday. Two alleged Mamelodi extortionists terrorised residents of informal settlements, demanding money from them. Those who refused to pay allegedly faced terrible consequences, including death.

A woman was burnt to death. Another was kidnapped and assaulted, and her shack was dismantled.

Vusimusi Mthombeni and Thapelo Phaswane face multiple charges that include murder, extortion, kidnapping, robbery and malicious damage to property.

They appeared in the Pretoria high court on Thursday.

According to the indictment, the pair terrorised residents of Mamelodi East Ext 17 in 2023, allegedly demanding payment for services such as water and electricity.

Mamelodi extortionists have made headlines several times. Convicted taxi boss Vusi Khekhe Mathibela, who was the leader of a gang called Boko Haram, was found to have also been part of an extortion ring.

According to the indictment, in April 2023, Mthombeni and Phaswane dragged Nancy Maria Mokwena from her boyfriend’s shack to open land, where they hit her with a spade before setting her alight. She died from her injuries.

They are also accused of damaging Moses Malefo’s property by dismantling his shack.

Other charges relate to the alleged kidnapping of Mildren Phato as well as the theft of her phone in the same month that Mokoena was burnt to death. Phato’s shack was dismantled too.

The indictment states that the accused kidnapped Phato and assaulted her with an electric cable, intending to cause her grievous bodily harm.

Sowetan understands that Phato was taken to an “office”, where people who allegedly refused to pay extortion fees were taken.

Mthombeni also faces further charges relating to an alleged assault and extortion involving Mpho Mogashoa.

The indictment alleges that in March 2023, Mthombeni assaulted Mogashoa with an electric cable with the intention of causing him grievous bodily harm. He is also accused of attempting to extort R4,000 from him.

Mthombeni is further accused of extorting R4,000 from Elizabeth Ngwako by threatening her.

According to the indictment, he threatened to cut or damage Ngwako’s electricity supply and make her disappear or kill her.

The state alleges that through these threats, Mthombeni unlawfully obtained R4,000 in cash.

Among those set to testify on behalf of the state are doctors, police officers and surviving victims.

The trial was scheduled to begin on Thursday but was postponed after Mthombeni’s new lawyer, identified in court as “Malope”, failed to appear.

Judge Papi Mosopa directed the state to try to contact the lawyer and establish his whereabouts.

After a brief adjournment, prosecutor Adv David Molokomme told the court that he had been unable to reach Malope.

Mosopa expressed frustration with legal practitioners who accept briefs despite knowing they may not be available to represent their clients.

“Your counsel is not reachable, so we will roll the matter to tomorrow. Please keep on trying to call him because it is not like you owe him; you paid him,” Mosopa told Mthombeni.

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