More cops deployed to tackle EC extortion, gang crisis
National police commissioner Fannie Masemola has deployed additional officers to tackle gang and extortion activities in the Eastern Cape.
The deployment of additional boots on the ground comes off the back of a visit and community stakeholder engagements in Mthatha and Gqerberha led by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, his deputies, and the police top brass.
Concerns have been raised about businesses being forced to close due to criminals' demand for so-called protection fees.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed the teams have been deployed to prevent, combat, investigate, and arrest those behind incidents of gang violence and extortion.
“Three senior officers, consisting of the head of organised crime, specialised operations and intelligence from SAPS National Headquarters, have been deployed to the province, each with dedicated teams under their command.
“On the ground is a team of detectives from organised crime as well as serious and violent crime unit, operatives from the National Intervention Unit (NIU) as well as Crime Intelligence Officers who will work alongside and augment the province’s existing capacity in dealing decisively with ‘protection fee gangs’,” Mathe said.
Masemola called on members of the public to come forward and report all forms of criminality to help police pin down extortionists and arrest them.
“The challenge that we are having is that community members are reluctant to report incidents of extortion. We urge our communities to, when called upon, come forward and report all forms of criminality to us and who these people are, to enable us to effect more arrests and ensure we build watertight cases that will be able to stand in court,” he said.
SAPS ‘MAKING INROADS’
The police say they are making inroads in addressing sporadic incidents of extortion at construction sites and businesses across the country.
So far, 722 extortionists have been arrested in the last five years.
According to the police, 52 extortionists were found guilty and collectively sentenced to 89 years and seven months imprisonment. Additionally, 93 cases where groupings and individuals of interest have been identified are still under investigation.
“Problematic provinces have been identified where these extortionists operate. These include the Western, Eastern, and Northern Cape, Free State, Limpopo, North West, and Mpumalanga,” Mathe said.
In the Western Cape, well-known construction Mafia gang leader Ralph Stanfield, his wife and 14 others are facing 32 charges relating to extortion fees.
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