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Cape Town suspects linked to underworld dealings appear in court

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Western Cape police say the arrest of seven men believed to be linked to underworld dealings in Cape Town follows a lengthy police investigation.

The men made a brief appearance in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

One of the suspects is believed to be the brother of a well-known gang boss.

The men believed to be linked to underworld dealings, and the night club security industry in Cape Town, will remain in custody until next week.

Five of them face extortion charges, while two others appeared on charges relating to firearm possession.

The state requested the matter be postponed until next Wednesday for a bail application.

It’s expected the state will be opposing bail.

The police’s Major-General Jeremy Veary says some of the accused face extortion charges.

“It relates to extortion where people are irregularly illegally asked to pay certain monies that is outside of a normal contractual relationship for so-called services, security … it might not even be security services, but you’re just paying because you are scared. So what I am trying to say is that it relates to those type of matters.”

Veary adds that police have been responding to extortion complaints from businesses across the city.

“This is also in the interest of the public. For the matter, we have had several complaints from the CPF and from business people and communities about similar, relating matters. So, there’s an urgency that has to do with that, that will be unfolding over the next few months without being systematically brought to the fore.”

The state has indicated that there’s a possibility of adding further charges.

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