Cape Town – A 75-year-old inmate Jacob Yende serving a life sentence in Witbank prison, appeared before the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Thursday to face intimidation and extortion charges.
The charges stem from a December 2022 incident where Yende, posing as “Vusi,” threatened Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, who was then the Home Affairs Minister.
“It was reported that on 29 December 2022, the erstwhile Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motswaledi, currently the Minister of Health, received threatening telephone calls followed by WhatsApp messages from a suspect who identified himself as Vusi.
” Vusi alleged that he was hired by certain people to kill the minister for his position and was already paid R40 000 upfront by the alleged mastermind.
MINISTER’S EXTORTER APPEARS IN COURT@SAPoliceService
Jacob Yende (75) appeared before the Pretoria Magistrates court yesterday, 29 August 2024 after a summons was served on the 29 July 2024 by the Serious Economic Offences unit within the Serious Commercial Crime…
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) August 30, 2024
” Vusi indicated that the remaining balance of R20 000 was to be paid upon the completion of his task.
“Vusi then solicited R80 000 to be deposited into a Capitec account as he felt that the minister was honourable and kind.
” The matter was reported to the DPCI, and a case of intimidation and extortion was opened at Brooklyn SAPS,” Hawks spokesperson Col Katlego Mogale said.
An investigation by the Hawks revealed the threats originated from within the prison.
“Warning statements were obtained from eight (8) sentenced prisoners, one of whom is the account holder of Capitec bank account number provided to the minister. The suspect was identified as Jacob Yende, who is serving life sentence in Witbank prison. He was served with summons to appear in court on 29 August 2024,” Mogale said.
The court remanded the case to September 9 for Yende to arrange legal representation.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
