Grahamstown police are investigating a case of extortion against a municipal employee. The employee, who works in the town planning department and whose name is known to ’ allegedly tried to extort money from a citizen who had applied to purchase land in Makana Municipality.
Grahamstown police are investigating a case of extortion against a municipal employee. The employee, who works in the town planning department and whose name is known to ’ allegedly tried to extort money from a citizen who had applied to purchase land in Makana Municipality.
The case was opened at the Grahamstown police station on 9 November.
A source said the person who opened the case had applied to purchase land in 2007. In a follow-up visit to the municipality on 15 October the man had met an employee in the town planning department. According to the would-be landowner, the employee asked him for a loan of R20 000. This, the employee allegedly said, would ensure that his application was successful.
Police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender confirmed Grahamstown police were investigating a case of extortion against a municipal employee, but said no arrests had been made.
Makana Municipality spokesman Mncedisi Boma said this week that the issue was sensitive and refused to comment. He said acting municipal manager Thembinkosi Myalato was aware of the incident and said he needed to discuss it with him before he could comment.
