The Hawks spokesperson in the Free State, Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti, said the Hawks, with assistance from the prison’s emergency support team, conducted a search and seizure operation inside the cells at Zonderwater Correctional Centre in Cullinan, Gauteng.

The raid followed a complaint that someone had impersonated a Hawks official in an attempt to extort money from members of the public.

“The suspect claimed to have influence over an active criminal matter and offered to have the trial against an accused person terminated in exchange for a payment of R200,000,” said Matoti.

The matter first came to light in April when an advocate from the NPA reported suspicious messages to the Hawks in Bloemfontein.

The Hawks investigated the complaint.  Photo: OFM News

“The advocate reported to the Hawks an attorney representing an accused person had raised concerns about these messages,” said Matoti.

Investigators found the accused’s wife had allegedly received WhatsApp messages from an individual introducing himself as a police officer. The person claimed to be collaborating with the state prosecutor handling her husband’s case and demanded money to have the prosecution withdrawn.

Authorities traced the messages back to inmates at Zonderwater Correctional Centre, prompting the Hawks-led raid to seize cellphones and other electronic devices believed to have been used in the scam.

The Hawks said the investigation into the extortion ring and possible accomplices is ongoing.

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OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg