The Germiston Regional Court has sentenced extortionist Ndumiso Bhengu to five years’ imprisonment for an extortion case opened in Bedfordview, Gauteng.
Bhengu's conviction emanates from a 2025 case, where it was alleged that around January of the same year, he contacted the complainant and falsely informed her that he had been approached by one of her colleagues to arrange her murder.
Bhengu further claimed to be in possession of a recording as proof of this alleged conspiracy. He then demanded an amount of R5 000 from the complainant in exchange for the said recording. Fearing for her safety, the complainant made an initial cash send payment of R2 500.
Subsequent to receiving the payment, the accused ceased all communication and could not be reached.
“The matter was thereafter reported to the DPCI [Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation] Head Office: Crime against the State (HO-CATS), whcih initiated an investigation into the incident,” the police said in a statement.
An intelligence-driven operation was launched on Saturday, 25 January 2025, in the Vaal District.
The operation was carried out by members from DPCI HO-CATS, Crime Intelligence Head Office and the Sedibeng K9 unit, resulting in Bhengu’s arrest on 28 January 2025.
“During the arrest, various items, which were subsequently confirmed to be linked to the commission of the offence, were secured as evidence and were seized.
“Bhengu appeared for the first time at the Germiston Magistrate's Court on 30 January 2025, where he was formally charged and his bail was successfully opposed, and he remained in custody throughout the court proceedings,” the police said. – SAnews.gov.za
