Extortion gangs are identified
|Published
CRIME: Two gangs extorting mense oppie Flats
Gangs identified as the Guptas and the Boko-Haram are said to be behind extortion rings as well as shootings related to extortion in at least five major townships in Cape Town.
MEC of Community Safety Albert Fritz told Weekend Argus: “Reports have shown that the Guptas and the Boko-Haram gangs in townships such as Gugulethu, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Mfuleni, Philippi East, and formerly coloured townships are targeting our community members, local businesses, ECDs, and even government officials.
“It is for this reason that I am calling on [Police Minister Bheki] Cele to urgently convene this steercom and ensure it meets.”
The Daily Voice has in recent weeks reported that skollies have been threatening business, home and vehicle owners, that they will be shot if they don’t pay R1500 protection money per month.
Earlier this month, mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith said: “I advised that our only role is to put pressure on (the) police as police have to investigate the matters.
“Law Enforcement have no legal powers in this regard.
“We are also announcing a hotline where people can report these matters anonymously so that we can confront police with facts.”
In September Fritz met with Cele to discuss the increase in gang and extortion-related shootings in the Western Cape.
Following the meeting, Fritz said it was agreed that two committees would be formed.
The first committee was the Safer City Committee which is a police initiative focusing on safety in all metros.
The second committee was to be set up and convened by the police.
It would draw in the province, City, police, NPA, SARS and other stakeholders to tackle extortion in the province.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Andrè Traut, said SAPS could not divulge strategies and plans.
“Extortion has been placed very high on our priority list and an operational plan to effectively police this phenomena has been implemented in the Western Cape,” he said.
Victims must report extortion to police via 021 466 0011.
Information will be treated confidentially.