Families in Fear: Extortion Gang Terrorizes Occupants of Government Flats in Pretoria East

In the Nellmapius suburb of Pretoria East, a sinister cloud of fear hangs over the Heathery Flats, where more than 500 disenfranchised families are being preyed upon by a ruthless gang. These government-owned buildings have become a fortress of terror, commandeered by extortionists hailing from the Mamelodi township.

Residents have come forward with harrowing accounts for the Satori News Agency, detailing a harrowing scenario where gang members, visibly armed, demand a monthly "protection" fee of R500. These families, who have illegally occupied the flats out of desperation, are being coerced into a grim transaction: pay up or be violently thrown out onto the streets.

This distressing reality came to a head when, earlier in February, eight members of the extortion ring were apprehended. Despite the arrests, the problem persists, as those apprehended were subsequently released on R5,000 bail by the Mamelodi Magistrates Court.

The Nellmapius Heathery Flats, now a battlefield of desperation versus criminal opportunism, have seen residents setting up their own water and electricity supply in an attempt to create a semblance of home. While no rent or municipal taxes are being paid towards the housing units, the imposed fee by the gang serves as a bitter alternative to legal financial obligations, keeping the residents in a constant state of insecurity and fear.

This situation has already seen its casualties; several families, including a visually impaired child and their mother, have been ruthlessly evicted. Their residences, which they regarded as a haven despite the circumstances, were snatched away and sold for a paltry R15,000. A testament to the grim situation can be vividly seen through one resident who recounted the suppression they face, revealing that refusal to comply with the gang's demands resulted in threats brandished with rifles.

South Africa's Department of Human Settlements is currently embroiled in a legal battle to put an end to this nightmare. They seek an eviction order to eradicate the illegal occupation of the Nellmapius Heathery Flats and restore rightful governance to the buildings. The department's intent is to dismantle the hold these criminal elements have over the community and establish a legitimate, safe living space for these vulnerable individuals.