Two people have been arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, after they demanded a bribe of R15,000 to make a rape case go away.
The two accused people, identified by the Hawks as Sibusiso Comfort Banda and Nontobeko Elsie Nyandeni allegedly demanded the R15,000 from the mother of the rape-accused man. Nyandeni had opened a rape case against the woman's son, and he was arrested.
The Hawks said a trap was set and Banda and Nyandeni were arrested after receiving the R15,000.
“On Friday, November 29, 2024, a successful operation by the Hawks’ Serious Crime Investigation led to the arrest of two suspects involved in an extortion case stemming from rape allegations,” said Gauteng spokesperson for the Hawks, Captain Lloyd Ramovha.
“The accused, identified as Sibusiso Comfort Banda and Nontobeko Elsie Nyandeni were apprehended following a planned operation around Pretoria central train station. The operation was initiated after the complainant (the mother of the rape-accused man) reported an attempted extortion involving R15,000.”
The complainant alleged that her son was arrested on charges of rape, in a case that was reported at Soshanguve police station, north of Pretoria. The rape-accused man was arrested at the beginning of November.
“Post her son's court appearance, the alleged victim and an accomplice approached the mother, demanding R15,000 to withdraw the rape charge,” said Ramovha.
The investigator in the rape case was alerted about the extortion demand, leading to the involvement of the Pretoria-based Hawks' serious corruption investigation (SCI) unit.
On Friday last week, members of the SCI in Pretoria conducted a successful operation, resulting in the arrest of the two people who were demanding the R15,000 extortion money. The alleged rape victim and her accomplice were arrested at the train station in Pretoria after they received the R15,000 – not knowing they were being trapped.
“Sibusiso Comfort Banda, 47, and Nontobeko Elsie Nyandeni, 31, were consequently detained at Pretoria Central police station,” said Ramovha.
Banda and Nyandeni appeared before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday and they were remanded in custody.