In past two weeks, 14 alleged extortionists were shot and killed when they went ‘toe-to-toe’ with police in various provinces.
From April 2023 to August 31, 2024, 319 cases of extortion were reported at police stations.
The Western Cape registered the highest number with 119 cases, followed by 82 in the Eastern Cape, 63 in KwaZulu-Natal and 31 in Gauteng.
Of these cases, police were able to arrest 151 people linked to the crime.
The Western Cape recorded 69 arrests, the Eastern Cape 24, Gauteng 23 and KwaZulu-Natal 20.
National police commissioner Fannie Masemola said they were cracking the whip, “fetching each of these extortionists one by one”.
He attributed the inroads to an extortion action plan they had developed throughout the country. Masemola, along with Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya, briefed the media over countrywide operations of the past month.
“With Gauteng, the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape having been identified as provinces that have the most reported cases, we are adding capacity and pumping resources to the economic infrastructure task teams to prevent, combat and investigate incidents of extortion and other crimes.
“Criminal groupings involved in some of these cases have been identified and our intelligence and detectives are on the ground, piecing together information to ensure perpetrators are brought to book.
“The crime of extortion requires a specialised investigative capacity and that is why we have deployed specialist teams led by the DPCI (Hawks), crime intelligence and organised crime units to lead these investigations,” said Masemola.
Among the highlights was the arrest of a suspect in connection with the murder of a 4-year-old Liyolatha Baliso in the Joe Slovo informal settlement in Milnerton.
The little girl was hit by a stray bullet when her killer and his friends were shooting while allegedly demanding protection fee money from a local spaza shop owner.
Hawks boss Lebeya said seven police officers and a civilian had been arrested for their alleged involvement in extortion-related crimes in Durban. He said a civilian was still wanted in the case.
“They are accused of soliciting about R100 000 from a business owner after confiscating cigarettes from his business premises and demanding that he pay them to make the case disappear.
“The seven have already appeared in court on a charge of extortion, corruption and defeating the administration of justice,” Lebeya said.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu commended the swift and decisive action in arresting seven police officers.
“Additionally, four more police officials handed themselves over to Hawks members (on Wednesday) morning and were also charged with corruption.
“All eight suspects are expected to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court today, with further investigations and potential arrests expected.
“The Hawks have once again shown their unwavering dedication to justice and to the people of South Africa.
Any officer found to be involved in corrupt activities will face the harshest consequences,” said Mchunu
Cape Times