Criminal mafias are going after these 7 targets in South Africa
The escalation of the prevalence and severity of criminal extortion groups targeting increasing segments South Africa continues to impede the country’s potential.
Despite 6,056 extortion cases reported between April 2019 and March 2024, only 178 resulted in convictions, which some say reflects a systemic issue in both cases themselves and the nature of the crimes, as many complainants withdraw their cases due to fear of retaliation from extortionists.
This was outlined by the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints), which appeared before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police on 18 September to provide an update on interventions and plans to curb extortions in the country.
“These [extortion] groupings have organised themselves into units known as ‘local business forums’ and have invaded various sector sites across the country, demanding money or a stake in development projects,” said Natjoints.
“We acknowledge that it is not a new phenomenon. However, it is continuously migrating and increasing,” Lieutenant General HK Senthumule told MPs.
According to the presentation, some prevalent sectors in South Africa which have been badly bruised by extortionists include (but are far from limited to):
| Sector | Extortion Typology |
|---|---|
| Construction Sector | Construction mafias disrupt sites, posing as business forums and demanding money or stakes in development projects. |
| Transport Sector | Chairpersons of associations demand a share from taxi drivers or owners for scholar transport services, per load. |
| Municipalities | Groups invade boardrooms during Bid Evaluation Committee meetings, demanding tenders and threatening supply chain officials. |
| Security Sector | Security companies are targeted, with demands for up to 30% of contracts or threats made to guards and managers. |
| Mining Sector | Mining companies like Anglo American and Glencore face demands for up to 30% of procurement contracts, with threats to executives for non-compliance. |
| Business Sector | Protection money is extorted from foreign-owned businesses, spaza shops, petrol stations, and backyard dwellers in townships. |
| Vulnerable Communities | Extortionists target vulnerable groups, including the disabled, RAF recipients, and informal farmers, demanding protection fees. |
They said that the most common modus operandi of these extortionists seen has been through:
- Invasion of construction sites by armed individuals threatening workers and families.
- Demand for community employment and a 30% share for SMMEs in projects.
- Forceful demands for tenders and protection fees.
- Intimidation of contractors to halt work.
- Threats to businesses for security payments to avoid disruption.
- Murders and attempted murders.
- Road barricades and forced shutdowns of construction sites.
- Theft and armed robbery of contractors’ equipment.
- Destruction of water infrastructure so that they continue to offer or supply water, under municipal contracts.
From 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2024, a total of 6,056 extortion cases were reported, with 2,389 arrests and 178 convictions.
| Province | Number of Cases | Number of Arrests | Convictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| GP | 2,284 | 828 | 45 |
| WC | 1,476 | 683 | 36 |
| KZN | 816 | 237 | 35 |
| EC | 438 | 108 | 13 |
| FS | 309 | 165 | 29 |
| MP | 258 | 110 | 14 |
| NW | 215 | 125 | 0 |
| LP | 176 | 119 | 2 |
| NC | 84 | 14 | 4 |
| Total | 6,056 | 2,389 | 178 |
Police said that the reason for the low arrest and conviction rate is because a significant number of complainants withdraw their cases as they are too scared to continue prosecuting the extortion mafia.
Looking at some of the figures, Natjoints has identified four provinces and 12 districts that are “hotspots”, being:
Additionally, according to Natjoints there have (thus far) been 39 extortion business forums and syndicates identified, being in:
- KwaZulu-Natal – 18;
- Western Cape – 10;
- Eastern Cape – 5;
- Gauteng – 3;
- Limpopo – 1;
- Mpumalanga – 1;
- North West – 1.
Natjoints reported successes in tackling extortion, including the National Core Command Group (NCCG) and a National Strategy on Extortion, with backing from the business sector.
A national database for construction projects has been set up, and hotlines for reporting extortion have launched in the Eastern and Western Cape, receiving notable community engagement.
In the Eastern Cape, 1,525 calls led to 37 cases, while the Western Cape had 71 positive calls.
Operation Silapha has deployed 104 members for threat stabilisation, resulting in arrests and seizures. A national hotline will launch on September 20, 2024.
However, National Police Commissioner General Fanie Masemola noted that extortionists are misusing the toll-free line to confuse SAPS about real cases. SAPS is working with other sectors to enhance crime-fighting efforts.
Additionally, legislation reviews are currently underway of numerous Acts; including attempts to crack the whip on parole, which Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said is often too lenient on criminals.
Tongue lashing from MPs
MPs sitting on the Portfolio Committee on Police did not hold back their dissatisfaction with the presentation by Natjoints.
The Committee said that it “is perturbed by a largely thin and unimaginative plan to counter extortion in the country [which] belies the magnitude of the problem the country is facing.”
Chairperson of the committee, Ian Cameron, said that “the lack of detail in this presentation is somewhat concerning. As a committee, we don’t expect operational specifics that could compromise law enforcement efforts. Still, we do expect a clear, actionable plan.”
“Instead, we’ve been given what seems to be a policy direction document with vague intentions and no concrete steps for addressing the extortion crisis,” he added.
The committee found it unacceptable that the proposed plan lacked budget allocation, which hampers the deployment of necessary resources for tackling extortion.
Concerns were also raised about the absence of measurable targets, which undermines accountability and focus.
According to the committee, the plan is also silent on efforts to ensure community engagement, a critical pillar in ensuring an increase in reporting of such crimes.
“Communities are critical pillars of any crime fighting effort as they are repositories of information that will lead to increased convictions,” said Cameron.
They stressed that arrests without convictions weaken crime-fighting efforts and called for collaboration within the JCPS cluster to boost conviction rates.
The committee has instructed Natjoints to urgently create a detailed plan with targets and a budget to tackle these challenges, emphasizing the need for innovative strategies against extortion.
Read: SAPS ups the ante against criminal mafias in South Africa
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