It is alleged that she is linked to a series of taxi violence and extortion cases in East London,
Former SAA board member Yakhe Kwinana appeared briefly in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
This follows her arrest on charges relating to extortion, malicious damage to property, and pointing a firearm
Police conducted an inter-provincial operation in Midrand on Monday, leading to the arrest of a 60-year-old woman, Kwinana, “ending her alleged reign of terror.”
Police spokesperson Major General Nonkululeko Phokane said Kinana is facing multiple charges of extortion, malicious property damage, and pointing of a firearm.
Taxi violence and extortion
Phokane said a multi-disciplinary team comprising members from the National Intervention Unit (NIU), Gauteng Serious and Violent Crime Investigations (SVCI), Tactical Response Team (TRT), and the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit acted on intelligence leading to the arrest of the suspect Midrand.
“The suspect, who is linked to a series of taxi violence and extortion cases in East London, was allegedly always accompanied by armed men when she threatened her victims and extorted money from them. The victims’ properties were also allegedly demolished on the instruction of the suspect.
“A multi-disciplinary team comprising members from National Intervention Unit (NIU), Gauteng Serious and Violent Crime Investigations (SVCI), Tactical Response Team (TRT), and the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit acted on intelligence leading to the arrest of the suspect Midrand.
Task team
In 2024, the Minister of Police, Mr Senzo Mchunu, established a national task team to deal decisively with extortion-related crimes. Multi-disciplinary teams have been deployed to prevent, combat, investigate, and arrest those behind incidents of gang violence and extortion in the country.
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