In the world of politics and power, a sinister game of cat and mouse is unfolding.

Behind the façade of journalistic inquiry, a group of individuals had been secretly leveraging their media influence to extort concessions and favours from politicians and officials..

 Armed with fake press credentials and a talent for manipulation, these fake journalists have built a lucrative racket, trading silence and spin for business deals and contracts.

But as their scheme began to unravel, the stakes grew higher, and the players found themselves in a deadly game of corruption and survival.

“They must be arrested”, shouted  MEC for Police Roads and Transport Jabu Mbalula during a media briefing hosted by Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae on Wednesday afternoon at Imvelo Safari Lodge.

When asked if she is aware, Letsoha-Mathae said she is a victim.

She says she has found herself as a victim of scammers pretending to be people who need help.

“ I once received a Facebook message where someone asked for money and a laptop.

“I indeed helped but unfortunately this person was a scammer.

“ So we are aware of this conduct, because every time we help people they come and threaten us, trying to extort money or business favours.

“ When we are unable to assist they threaten us that they will go to the media, said the Premier.

But the Premier was not alone in this,  MEC for Treasury Toto Makume, added that these criminals must know that the government is not a banana republic.

He says he is also aware of this.

“ It must be known that we will not succumb to any kind of threats and illegal acts, Makume said.

Makume said those individuals will be found and they will be arrested.