By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has deployed more police officers to the Eastern Cape in order to address and control the increasing cases of extortion and gangs.
The decision was made after various complaints of rampant crime were raised by the Mthatha and Gqeberha communities.
Criminal syndicates are demanding protection money from businesses, schools, and healthcare facilities, which has resulted in these businesses, schools, and others closing their doors.
These criminal syndicates threaten (and use) violence or sabotage if payments are not made.
Masemola said communities could not be held at ransom and urged residents to bring forward the names of the extortionists.
“The challenge that we are having is that community members are reluctant to report incidents of extortion. We urge our communities to come forward and report all forms of criminality to us and who these people are. [This will] enable us to effect more arrests and ensure we build watertight cases that will be able to stand in court,” Masemola said.
“For us to pin down these extortionists, we need witnesses. We urge the communities’ cooperation in this regard. We have dedicated teams that are assigned to these cases. We are also looking at increasing capacity to register more cases and ensure takedowns.”
However, Eastern Cape Chamber of Business president Vuyisile Ntlabathi alleges that apart from fears of violence against those reporting the groups, some police are working with the groups.
“Some of the police people have been conniving with these guys, so they need new faces, and some must be transferred elsewhere. So people need to have confidence,” Ntlabathi.
The Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, says that it is critical that the South African Police Service (SAPS) effectively tackle the issue of extortion gangs across the country that are holding businesses and communities hostage.
“It’s quite a worrying trend, and it poses a challenge that must be dealt with head-on. It’s criminal, and people [just trying to run their businesses or live their lives] have been turned into victims,” Mchunu said.
Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane has welcomed the deployment of additional police resources to the province, aimed at addressing escalating gang violence and extortion in key areas.
Mabuyane commended the decisive action, following recent community engagements led by Mchunu.
“The safety of our citizens is paramount. We will not tolerate criminal activities undermining our people’s well-being and economic stability,”said Mabuyane.