Constable, prosecutor on bail for R1. 6m extortion allegation
A police constable and a suspended prosecutor have been granted bail after being accused of extorting R1.6 million from a businessman detained in Pretoria.
The Pretoria Magistrate's Court set bail at R5 000 each for Advocate Avinash Ramapararat, 45, and Constable Abdul Haig Shaik, 37, during their bail hearing on Wednesday. Both face charges of extortion.
Advocate Ramapararat was previously stationed at the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit but is currently suspended. Constable Shaik is assigned to Wierdabrug Police Station. The two are alleged to have demanded a large sum of money from a businessman in exchange for his release from custody.
The incident dates back to February 2024, when Shaik contacted the businessman regarding a theft and fraud case connected to Agynt Commodities. The case arose from a coal transaction dispute between the companies in 2023. Shaik allegedly instructed the businessman to come to the Wierdabrug Police Station, where he was immediately detained and placed in a holding cell.
While the businessman was in custody, both accused allegedly demanded R1.6 million to secure his release.
The complainant reportedly paid the amount and was subsequently released. National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana explained that months after the payment, the businessman sought updates on the case, only to be informed that the case number provided to him was unrelated to his matter.
Realising something was wrong, the businessman reported the alleged extortion to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks. This prompted an investigation that resulted in the arrest of Ramapararat and Shaik on 25 July 2025.
The State did not oppose bail during the hearing, citing the accused's cooperation with the investigation, verified addresses, and low flight risk. Both accused are also facing separate charges related to extortion and corruption in a different case at the Pretoria North Magistrate's Court.
The Pretoria Magistrate's Court has postponed the extortion case to 24 October 2025, awaiting a decision from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Meanwhile, the separate case involving the pair will return to court on 27 October 2025 for disclosure.
The National Prosecuting Authority reaffirmed its commitment to fighting corruption, especially within its own ranks. 'Advocate Ramapararat was placed on suspension pending the outcome of internal disciplinary procedures,' Mahanjana said.
This case has drawn public attention due to the involvement of law enforcement officers in serious criminal conduct. It highlights ongoing concerns about corruption within institutions meant to uphold the law. The outcome of these proceedings will be closely watched as South Africa continues to address issues of integrity and accountability in its justice system.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
28 minutes ago
- The South African
'Death of a prosecutor is one too many'
Regional Court prosecutor Tracy Brown was shot and killed outside her home in Gqeberha, in the presence of her partner and child. The incident occurred on Thursday, 31 July, in what authorities have described as an assassination-style attack. The motive for the killing remains unclear. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has strongly condemned the murder, calling it an attack on the rule of law. In a statement, the NPA described the killing of prosecutors as deeply disturbing. NPA National Spokesperson, Mthunzi Mhaga, said prosecutors have a deep commitment to serving the people, often at great personal risk. 'To target those who dedicate their lives to upholding the law is to strike at the heart of our constitutional democracy. We will not be deterred in our resolve to deliver on our mandate to ensure justice for the people of our country,' Mhaga added. Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, condemned the murder and called for urgent measures to protect NPA staff. She also described Brown's death as 'heartbreaking' and the act as 'barbaric.' 'These protections must be reinforced and better coordinated with other security cluster stakeholders to ensure that our prosecutors can carry out their duties without fear for their lives,' the Minister said. She further urged the public to come forward with any information that could assist law enforcement in their investigation. 'The death of a prosecutor is one too many,' Minister Kubayi added. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Here's what Ramaphosa said about Mashatile's diamond gift saga
The deputy president was recently fined R10 000 by parliament. President Cyril Ramaphosa says Deputy President Paul Mashatile must account for himself after he failed to declare a diamond gifted to his wife by controversial businessman Louis Liebenberg. Speaking at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Friday, after the swearing-in of acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, President Ramaphosa made it clear that the responsibility to respond lies with Mashatile himself. 'I can't answer for him, and he has answers for all his matters. 'We will need to wait for him to provide answers to all these questions, and only he can answer them. So let's wait for that, and then we take the process from there,' Ramaphosa said. Earlier this week, parliament's joint committee on ethics and members' interests imposed a R10 000 fine on Mashatile for failing to declare the diamond in the confidential section of his financial interests register. ALSO READ: Mashatile reveals he spent R2.3m on travel, food, and laundry for Japan trip The fine follows a formal complaint by the DA regarding the matter. Mashatile had defended his actions by stating he had been awaiting an appraisal to confirm the diamond's authenticity and value before disclosing it. However, the committee concluded that this did not exempt him from his duty to declare the gift. The diamond in question was reportedly handed over to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in light of Liebenberg's arrest last year on charges that include fraud, theft, racketeering, and money laundering. Mashatile declares luxury property Mashatile has faced mounting scrutiny in recent months over his perceived opulent lifestyle and close ties to individuals implicated in corruption, including businessman Edwin Sodi. The diamond gift from Liebenberg — along with Mashatile's recent disclosures involving high-end properties — has further heightened public scrutiny. The deputy president declared ownership of a R28.9 million estate in Constantia, Cape Town, despite previously denying any property ownership in the area. His office had insisted in October last year that he had no properties in Cape Town aside from a house in Kelvin, Johannesburg, purchased through a bank loan with his late wife. At the time, the Constantia property was reportedly owned by a company connected to his son-in-law However, new disclosures made this year list the 4 000-square-metre Constantia house as Mashatile's, along with a 9 300-square-metre home in Waterfall, Midrand, reportedly valued at R37 million and the Kelvin residence. The Hawks are currently investigating Mashatile following criminal charges laid by the DA. Last year, Mashatile declared ownership of two properties, one located in Midrand spanning 1 000 by 1 200 square metres, and another in Sandton covering 600 by 800 square metres. NOW READ: Mashatile denies family tied to multibillion-rand lottery deal
IOL News
4 hours ago
- IOL News
Public prosecutor Tracy Brown gunned down in front of family, raising alarm over legal safety
Regional court prosecutor Tracy Brown was shot and killed in her vehicle at Gqerberha in the Algoa Park precinct on Thursday afternoon. Image: File The shooting murder of a female public prosecutor in front of her child and partner has been described as an attack on the rule of law. Tracy Brown, a regional court prosecutor, was shot and killed in front of her house at Lotton Street, Young Park in Gqeberha on Thursday after four men alighted from a white Polo vehicle and fired multiple shots at her vehicle. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Mthunzi Mhaga, said they condemned the killing, of which the motive is not yet known. Mhaga said: 'Tracy Brown was shot assassination-style by four armed men in front of her house in Gqeberha, in the presence of her partner and minor child. The motive for Brown's senseless killing is unknown. Her murder is an attack on the rule of law and our tireless efforts to hold criminals accountable. The NPA, together with law enforcement, will spare no effort in ensuring that the perpetrators of this brutal murder are brought to justice. 'The recent killing of prosecutors, who put their lives on the line every day in the pursuit of justice, is deeply disturbing. This murder follows the merciless killing of another prosecutor, Elona Sombulula, from the Engcobo Magistrate's Court in April this year,' said Mhaga. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading He added that prosecutors take on their duties with courage and a deep commitment to serving the people, 'often at great personal risk'. 'To target those who dedicate their lives to upholding the law is to strike at the heart of our constitutional democracy. We will not be deterred in our resolve to deliver on our mandate to ensure justice for the people of our country. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Brown's family, friends and colleagues at this sad and difficult time,' said Mhaga. On Thursday, police appealed for the public to come forward with information relating to the brazen murder, which occurred in the Algoa Park policing precinct at 3.30pm. SAPS spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said: 'While still seated in her vehicle, a Toyota Etios, four unknown suspects wearing masks stopped with a white VW Polo in the street, they got out of the vehicle and multiple shots were fired at her vehicle. The deceased was rushed to the hospital with gunshot wounds but passed away upon arrival. The motive and the suspects are unknown, and the investigation is ongoing.' Any person who could assist police with information in the investigation can contact the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Errol Kleinhans, on 083 243 4567 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via the MySAPS App.
