The Strandfontein Community Police Forum (CPF) says they have caught a couple who have allegedly been extorting money from foreign shop owners in the area using false rape claims.
The suspects are said to have collected more than R1 000 from their victims before they were exposed.
The shop owners reported the matter to the police, says Strandfontein CPF chairperson Sandy Schuter adding that the Blockwatch confronted the alleged extortionists on Saturday.
According to one shop owner, the woman comes into the shop while the man waits in a white Honda.
The woman demands money and says if they don’t give it, she will call the police and report them for rape.
The woman, known in the community as a tikkop also allegedly threatens she’ll get skollies to kill the foreigners.
Fearing for their lives, the shop owners handed over the money, but they got gatvol when the woman came back and demanded more.
Schuter says a few established businesses in Seafarer Drive, Bayview, belong to Bangladeshis.
She says the foreigners regularly donate to the poor in the area and always support community events hosted by the CPF.
Shop owner Shamim Mollah, 25, went to the police after his brother was blackmailed.
“I went to the police on Saturday and I was told Sandy and her team would assist. She came to see me and told me if they come, I must call,” he says.
GROOT SKRIK: This man was given a warning after the Strandfontein CPF caught him ‘blackmailing’ shop owner
“The car came the evening and the same lady got out again. I called Sandy and she came with all her people.”
The shop owners took pictures of the man and the woman.
Schuter says the man had said he was married to the woman, but when confronted by the CPF, he said he did not know her and was just driving her somewhere.
She says the two were given a warning and they promised not to return.
“My message to all these criminals is you will not intimidate, harm or harass the foreigners in our area. We will defend them and also protect them from you,” a determined Schuter says.
Mollah says: “We are just trying to make an honest living and are grateful to the police and Sandy. She is like our parent. She takes care of us.
“Nobody came on Sunday and we don’t think they will come again. We can live happily now.”