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By Asanda Sokanyile 
1 hour ago
Cape Town – AMID concerns of a dwindling economy, the Cape Chamber of Commerce has warned that if the anarchy of gangs accused of extortion continues, many families could be left in dire straits.
The gangs now identified as the Guptas and the Boko-Haram are said to be at the center of extortion rings, as well as extortion-related shootings in at least five major Cape Town municipalities.
Cape House Speaker Janine Myburgh called for an end to the growing extortion rings.
“If this slide into anarchy continues, job creation for economic recovery will be seriously hampered.
“It is essential that Police Minister Bheki Cele fulfill the promise he made six weeks ago to launch a task force to stop this scourge, now targeting not only businesses, but also the poorest citizens,” Myburgh said.
He said the city of Cape Town has figures that “show a dramatic increase in what amounts to a form of urban terrorism.”
However, the City was unable to respond to questions about the figures and referred the matter to the police.
“The extortion cases have expanded beyond the businesses in the central business district to areas such as Khayelitsha, Bloekombos, Wallacedene and Gugulethu.
“There is evidence of a growing reign of terror.
“Citizens are under serious threat, unsafe even in their own homes,” Myburgh said.
He added that some extortionists “now demand money for the protection of the works.”
“Protection money is being extorted from foreign-owned companies and even backyard dwellers who have jobs.”
Earlier this month JP Smith, a member of the mayor’s safety and security committee, said: “I advised that our only role is to pressure the police, as the police have to investigate matters.
“The forces of order do not have legal powers in this regard.
“We are also announcing a hotline where people can report these matters anonymously so that we can confront the police with the facts.
“That is all we can do legally.”
Community Security MEC Albert Fritz, said: “Reports have shown that Guptas and Boko-Haram gangs in municipalities such as Gugulethu, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Mfuleni, Philippi East and previously ‘colored’ municipalities are targeting members of our community. , businesses, ECDs, and even government officials.
“It is for this reason that I ask Cele to urgently convene this steercom and make sure it is carried out.”
Several members of the different communities have spoken to the media in recent months and detailed their heartbreaking stories of fear and being terrorized by gangs.
Some have even resorted to leaving their homes for fear of being killed for refusing to pay “protection fees”.
In September, Fritz met with Cele as a result of the increase in gang-related shootings and extortion in the Western Cape.
After the meeting, Fritz said it was agreed that two complementary but separate committees would be formed.
The first committee was the Safer City Committee, which is a police initiative that focuses on security in all metropolitan areas of the country.
The second committee was a specific cross-cutting steering committee that was created and convened by the police.
It would attract the province, city, police, NPA, SARS and other relevant stakeholders to specifically address the issue of extortion in the province.
Police spokesman Colonel Andrè Traut said the department could not divulge strategies and plans to deal with the growing extortion ring.
“The SAPS will not allow companies of any nature to be extorted by criminal elements.
“Extortion has been placed very high on our priority list and an operational plan has been put in place to effectively monitor this phenomenon in the Western Cape.
“Unfortunately, the content of this plan cannot be disclosed as it is operational in nature and it would be unwise to share police tactics with criminals,” he said.
Affected parties are encouraged to report their encounters to the police by calling 021 466 0011.
The information will be treated confidentially.
Argus weekend
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