{"id":791629,"date":"2024-09-18T16:14:31","date_gmt":"2024-09-18T14:14:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=791629"},"modified":"2024-11-19T16:48:32","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T14:48:32","slug":"criminal-mafias-are-going-after-these-7-targets-in-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/government\/791629\/criminal-mafias-are-going-after-these-7-targets-in-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"Criminal mafias are going after these 7 targets in South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The escalation of the prevalence and severity of criminal extortion groups targeting increasing segments South Africa continues to impede the country\u2019s potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe acknowledge that it is not a new phenomenon. However, it is continuously migrating and increasing,\u201d Lieutenant General HK Senthumule told MPs.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the presentation, some prevalent sectors in South Africa which have been badly bruised by extortionists include (but are far from limited to):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sector<\/strong><\/th>Extortion Typology<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Construction Sector<\/strong><\/td>Construction mafias disrupt sites, posing as business forums and demanding money or stakes in development projects.<\/td><\/tr>
Transport Sector<\/strong><\/td>Chairpersons of associations demand a share from taxi drivers or owners for scholar transport services, per load.<\/td><\/tr>
Municipalities<\/strong><\/td>Groups invade boardrooms during Bid Evaluation Committee meetings, demanding tenders and threatening supply chain officials.<\/td><\/tr>
Security Sector<\/strong><\/td>Security companies are targeted, with demands for up to 30% of contracts or threats made to guards and managers.<\/td><\/tr>
Mining Sector<\/strong><\/td>Mining companies like Anglo American and Glencore face demands for up to 30% of procurement contracts, with threats to executives for non-compliance.<\/td><\/tr>
Business Sector<\/strong><\/td>Protection money is extorted from foreign-owned businesses, spaza shops, petrol stations, and backyard dwellers in townships.<\/td><\/tr>
Vulnerable Communities<\/strong><\/td>Extortionists target vulnerable groups, including the disabled, RAF recipients, and informal farmers, demanding protection fees.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

They said that the most common modus operandi of these extortionists seen has been through:<\/p>\n\n\n\n