By Nkosana Khumalo
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling extortion and other related crimes, which continue to plague several regions in South Africa. Speaking before Parliament, Mchunu highlighted the daily efforts of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in combating these crimes, particularly in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape. These four provinces currently account for 73% of the country’s crime levels, making them central to the government’s ongoing law enforcement strategies.
Mchunu described the perpetrators behind these crimes as individuals who choose not to engage in productive work but instead “parade as armies of murderous parasites.” He stressed the importance of society rejecting such criminals and working with law enforcement to restore order and safety.
Extortion: A Growing Concern
Over time, extortion has grown from an isolated issue into a significant threat affecting communities across South Africa. According to Minister Mchunu, the situation has reached a boiling point, with anger, bitterness, and frustration mounting in affected areas. The consequences of extortion not only disrupt local economies but also instill fear in communities, preventing victims from coming forward to report the crimes.
“The modus operandi of these perpetrators is well known. Most of them operate in groups, heavily armed and highly organised,” Mchunu stated. These gangs terrorise communities, often preying on businesses, construction projects, and even social gatherings like funerals and church services.
SAPS Operations and Recent Successes
In response to these rising threats, SAPS, under Mchunu’s leadership, has intensified operations in key crime hotspots. The Minister highlighted recent successes in Cape Town’s Milnerton area, where law enforcement officers confronted extortionists in a shootout that resulted in the deaths of four suspects, while four others were hospitalised with injuries. In the Eastern Cape, targeted operations in Mthatha and Nelson Mandela Bay have been launched to address crimes including extortion, illegal occupation of buildings, and stock theft.
Mchunu also pointed to a hotline set up for the public to report extortion cases. So far, 12 cases have been received, with investigations underway. The Minister emphasised that criminals were showing signs of resistance, but expressed confidence that law enforcement would prevail in its efforts to curb extortion. “We are observing signs of resistance among criminals, but police will prevail,” he said.
Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Free State Operations
In addition to operations in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, SAPS has made significant headway in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and the Free State. Mchunu noted that three criminals involved in extortion activities were arrested in Bronkhorstspruit just three weeks ago. In Soweto, police efforts have intensified in response to rising extortion cases.
In Mpumalanga, police made three arrests related to turf wars between extortionist gangs. Meanwhile, in the Free State, pensioners and Road Accident Fund (RAF) recipients have become targets of extortionists. Mchunu indicated that there may be more instances of extortion in these areas than initially reported, calling for increased crime intelligence operations to uncover the full extent of the issue.
Government’s Integrated Crime Prevention Strategy
To address the broader problem of extortion, the South African government has initiated cooperative agreements between provincial and local authorities, seeking to integrate resources and fight crime collectively. The Western Cape’s new six sub-districts operational plan is already in motion, with similar models planned for other major metropolitan areas across the country.
Mchunu explained that the operational plans would involve a collaboration between the Community Policing Forums (CPFs), private security companies, and local law enforcement agencies. The goal is to ensure greater coordination, stronger oversight, and improved effectiveness in combating crime at the community level. “The operational plan will include CPFs and private security companies, ensuring a joint effort to fight crime,” Mchunu added.
The roll-out of this plan is already underway in Nelson Mandela Bay, and the Minister confirmed that discussions with the Gauteng government are scheduled for later this week, with similar meetings in KwaZulu-Natal planned for the 19th and 20th of this month. This coordinated approach is part of the National Integrated Crime Prevention Strategy, aimed at creating synergies across government departments and reinforcing the country’s capacity to prevent crime.
Strengthening the Justice System
Mchunu further noted that the government’s response to the extortion crisis is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the country’s criminal justice system. The Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security (JCPS) cluster will hold a series of meetings, starting this Friday, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation between law enforcement agencies and other government departments. The objective is to better align resources and improve overall security outcomes across South Africa.
“We are holding a series of meetings with sister departments on collaboration against crime, as per the National Integrated Crime Prevention Strategy. This Friday, we are meeting as the JCPS cluster to tighten up our act and better synergies,” Mchunu concluded.
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