Police are investigating a case of extortion and the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition after an incident on the R40 road last Friday.
The incident occurred on Friday, 14 November 2025, opposite a local mall. According to reports, a truck driver en route from Phalaborwa to Nelspruit was stopped by a group of individuals who allegedly ordered him not to use the road again. This was reportedly the second such warning the driver had received that day.
The situation escalated when members of the trucking company arrived at the scene. Approximately twelve individuals, allegedly from the Acornhoek Forum, then demanded that the company hire three truck drivers from the local area. They further instructed the company representatives to bring their management the following week to finalise an agreement.
The group’s demands included the hiring of the three local drivers and the payment of a monthly “protection fee.” It is alleged that the group threatened to prohibit the company’s trucks from using the R40 if they failed to comply.
Police later acted on information regarding the location of one of the suspects. Upon arriving at his business premises, officers searched the man and reportedly found a firearm and ammunition in his possession. He was subsequently arrested.
The suspect faces charges of extortion and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. He is expected to appear before the Acornhoek Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, Tuesday, 18 November 2025.