AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo has vowed to use his power and influence to help the people of uMthatha fend off protection-fee Mafias whose latest activities have resulted in the closure of schools and businesses and some residents fleeing.
In a meeting at the Laphumikhwezi Primary School grounds in Mthatha on Tuesday, the controversial traditional leader revealed that he was prepared to “eliminate” extortionists terrorising businesses and schools in the former Transkei capital.
It is reported that the school was forced to close because of the onslaught of protection-fee syndicates who have, in recent times, been terrorising business owners and, now, individuals.
The spokesperson for the king, Princess Ntando, said the king has been left shaken and upset by the latest developments in the area after the forced closure of some schools.
“The king is very upset because children are afraid to attend school and teachers don’t feel safe. That’s why the king has held a meeting at the school to discuss this matter,” she said.
Eastern Cape Department of Education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said at least four schools had suffered at the hands of the criminals who demanded money from principals and their deputies.
He added that prominent leaders could be involved in the syndicate.
“In this area alone, four schools have been affected, and Laphumikwezi ended up closing. We have since approached the king to intervene because this is happening on his land, with the hope that he will be able to stop this and our teachers and learners will be able to go back to school and be safe,” said Mtima.
“IOL” has reported that national police commissioner Fannie Masemola, under instruction by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, has deployed three senior officers consisting of the head of organised crime, specialised operations and intelligence from the national headquarters to the province, each with dedicated teams under their command.
This week, a letter by an anonymous person who identified herself as a businesswoman, disclosed that her business had been paying R100 000 to extortionists over the past six months.
“I have been tortured and my family has been walking on eggshells. We live with fear and the saddest part is my business has not been at its best since Covid-19 and this is financial loss … I write this with pain and because I’m tired to a point where I have decided that I am giving up. I will close the business. I feel bad for those who entirely relied on me as employees to run their households.”
Last week, an ophthalmologist shut his practice after being threatened by the syndicates who prey on vulnerable business owners.
“Dear clients, patients, relatives and colleagues. This serves as a formal notice to inform you and those concerned of the permanent closure of this ophthalmology practice as of 13 August 2024. This office’s premature and permanent closure is due to hostile criminal activities that have threatened my life and well-being and have forced premature and forced closure of this Ophthalmology Medical Practice permanently,” the business owner said in a statement on social media.
Reacting to the surge in incidents, chairperson of the portfolio committee on police Ian Cameron said he was gravely concerned by reports of growing protection-fee syndicates in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, adding that that would have a direct negative impact of the syndicates and the impunity with which they operated affected the livelihoods of the people in the area.
“It is patently unacceptable that businesses in the area are harassed to a point of closing down as a result of the operation of these syndicates. The South African Police Service must put in measures to protect businesses and the people of the Eastern Cape against these criminals,” he said.
Rise Mzansi Caucus leader in the National Assembly Makashule Gana said his party was concerned about the recent reports of protection-fee syndicates and welcomed efforts by the minister and national commissioner who had deployed more boots on the ground to fight the scourge.
“While this will do well in improving visible policing, it is a reactive response to to a societal emergency that has threatened the way of life for residents in uMthatha, Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal and the Western Cape in different forms.
“A necessary response to this emergency, which has threatened every aspect of life, requires the deployment of crime intelligence division, working with the Hawks and the newly empowered Investigative Directorate Against Corruption housed in the National Prosecuting Authority, alongside the community which is under siege,“ Gana said on Wednesday.