Growth in extortion syndicates contributes to a climate of fear and lawlessness

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Presidency

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the rise in criminal extortion in several parts of the country, including the Eastern Cape, is contributing to a climate of fear and lawlessness.

Answering questions at the National Council of Provinces on Thursday, he said “extortion has a huge economic cost,” disrupting business activity and delaying or stopping infrastructure construction.

President Ramaphosa said the country’s law enforcement agencies had given the scourge top priority.

“The SAPS is responding to these crimes in the areas where they occur most frequently. For example, the police have set up an extortion forum in the Eastern Cape to specifically address these cases in the province.

“In addition, a task force to combat organised crime has been set up to investigate all cases of extortion reported in the province,” he told MPs.

The President said these cases would be handled under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA), with a focus on the identified gang leaders to neutralise the activities of the syndicates. He added that the investigations would be carried out in collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority and other relevant stakeholders.

He also said that police had increased their staffing in the Eastern Cape, where an extortion hotline had already been set up and would soon be rolled out across the country.

“Through the hotline, community members can report any form of crime or violence committed by these criminal gangs to ensure a quick and targeted response.

“The extortion hotline received around 1,300 calls, resulting in 36 cases and 11 requests for investigation by the Organised Crime Task Force. In addition, an extortion and kidnapping forum has been set up,” said President Ramaphosa.

“The growth of extortion syndicates is a matter of great concern and our law enforcement agencies have therefore made it a top priority,” he added.

Meanwhile, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola announced on Thursday that 14 extortion suspects were shot dead by police in shootouts.

They include three people, as well as Chief Dalinzolo Mareke, suspected of extortion, who were shot dead when they confronted members of the National Intervention Unit returning to their base in Mthatha last week.