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Two more people have been arrested in connection with the extortion of businesses in the Stutterheim area owned by foreign nationals.
The Hawks in the Eastern Cape said members of its Kidnapping Task Team arrested two suspects in the town on Thursday.
Spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said the joint intelligence operation team received information that the suspects would collect "protection fees" from businesses in the area.
"At about 14:30, the suspects allegedly collected money from one of the businesses and were heading towards the direction of Engen garage on foot when they were approached by the members and were apprehended on the spot," he said.
Mhlakuvana said this was the second arrest made in the Stutterheim area on allegations of extortion this month, adding that information coming from "informers," businesses, and the local community, was yielding good results.
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He said the local security company, Magma Security, is working with them to ensure that "what they hear on the ground they inform the Hawks."
Mhlakuvana said in the latest incident the extortion money was recovered and the two suspects are expected to appear before the Stutterheim Magistrates Court soon.
