Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has confirmed that he has deployed extra police officers to the Eastern Cape after a string of protection-fee Mafia reports in the province.
“We have been inundated with reports on the worsening crime in the Eastern Cape. As per our resolutions taken last week at the stakeholder engagements, we will be deploying additional members to the Eastern Cape,” Mchunu said on Tuesday.
The additional reinforcement of boots on the ground follows the minister’s recent visit to the province.
Last week, Mchunu visited areas such as Mthatha and Gqeberha, where, increasingly, extortion syndicates are said to be wreaking havoc on businesses, individuals, clinics and schools.
In a statement on Tuesday, national police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said a multidisciplinary team of detectives had been deployed to the province to clamp down on the practice.
“We cannot allow a situation where communities are held to ransom, and we are urging our communities to name and shame these extortionists. The challenge that we are having is that community members are reluctant to report incidents of extortion. We urge our communities when called upon to come forward.”
Reports indicate that the Eastern Cape Department of Education) has requested the help of AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, who has promised to assist in curbing the gangs targeting schools and other government officials.
It has been reported that in the area of Mthatha, at least four schools that fall under tribal authority, had been forced to close after being visited by extortion gangs demanding protection fees.
Also on Tuesday, chairperson of the portfolio committee on police Ian Cameron said he was gravely concerned about reports of the increasing number of protection-fee syndicates in Mthatha, adding that the 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,” said Cameron.
Amid calls for the army to be deployed to the province’s hot spots, Deputy Minister of Defence Bantu Holomisa, speaking on “Power FM”, said only President Cyril Ramaphosa had the right to deploy the army.
“No one can just phone us and say we should deploy the army. It is not our duty. Only the president has the right to do so. Ours would be to escort and monitor the situation and if it becomes too much for the police, only then can we intervene,” he said.
Cameron said the minister of police, in his first budget vote speech, had made a commitment to tackle such syndicates. The Eastern Cape protection-fee gangs would be the first litmus test for the SAPS.
“We are confident that there remain competent and committed South African Police Service members who will work steadfastly to end this scourge and ensure safety and security for the people of Mthatha and the country in general,” said Cameron.