New ‘toilet mafia’ hits South Africa

South Africa’s growing crisis with mafia-style extortion rackets has hit a new target, with criminals locking down public taps and toilets in informal settlements, demanding payment for their use.

The City of Cape Town flagged the problem this week, noting that taps and toilets are part of basic services offered at no charge to residents in over 487 informal residents under its purview.

The city said that under no circumstances are members of the public allowed to lock or deny anyone access to these services, to charge money for their use, or to collect water from a tap.

It urged residents to report incidents like this to authorities.

“It is unacceptable that extortionists are trying to make money by restricting access to free basic services from vulnerable residents unless they are prepared to pay an illegal fee.

“The city has zero tolerance against extortionists. Residents are urged to call the city’s tip-off line to report these incidents, which can be done anonymously,” it said.

This type of extortion is the latest in a long line of similar activity taking place all over South Africa, ranging from criminal elements looking to exploit the poor and vulnerable to sophisticated syndicates looking to extract millions from big business.

South Africa is grappling with a siege of mafia-style extortion syndicates that have infiltrated nearly every sector of the economy.

One of the most prominent mafias that has gained national awareness is the construction mafia, which has held back or led to the abandonment of multi-billion rand projects.

These syndicates often parade ad legitimate “business forums”, invading construction sites and demanding protection fees or a stake in projects.

Another common mafia hitting South Africa is water tanker mafias.

Similar to the toilet mafias, only on a wider and more aggressive scale, these syndicates block access to vital services, like water, for profit.

They accomplish this by vandalising or destroying water infrastructure, forcing the local government to turn to water tanker businesses to ensure residents have access to water.

This has become a highly profitable business.

In Gauteng alone, municipalities have spent R2.367 billion over five years (2018 – August 2023) on hiring water tankers.

Mafias spreading

However, South Africa’s culture of extortion has spread even further, with taxi operators exhibiting similar behaviour.

Recent reports pointed to incidents where taxi operators regularly threaten and use violence to control passenger transport, particularly in Gauteng.

This includes targeting private transport providers, schools, and even individuals offering lifts to family members or coworkers.

Previously, taxi associations targeted the e-hailing industry, with taxi operators resorting to violence to protect routes and fares.

However, incidents of these operators threatening private motorists carpooling or doing work lifts have also been reported nationwide.

Extortionists have also taken to threatening schools, nursing homes and medical clinics, demanding payment for protection. Several of these cases have turned violent, with lives lost.

The spread of organised crime has left virtually nothing in South Africa untouched. The Global Organised Crime Index recently flagged the rise of extortion and protection racketeering across South Africa.

The report noted that some syndicates in Gauteng have rebranded themselves as legal security companies, maintaining their operations through violence and intimidation.

Kidnapping for ransom has also become an entrenched, lucrative criminal enterprise, adding another layer of fear and insecurity.

Additionally, crime intelligence sources revealed that some officers, from constables to brigadiers, actively collaborate with extortion gangs.