Extortionists now targeting pensioners and RAF recipients, not just businesses – Mchunu

Mchunu

Cape Town – Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has revealed that extortionists in South Africa are targeting not only businesses but also pensioners and Road Accident Fund (RAF) recipients, with syndicates and gangs operating in provinces like Gauteng, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape.

Responding to the National Assembly on Tuesday, Mchunu noted that extortion had escalated to affect all communities and extended beyond the construction sector.

“Extortion has been emerging over time and has now reached levels where all communities in our country beyond the four provinces indicated above have become very angry, bitter and agitated; the pain has gone very deep.

“The mood expressed in communities is also reflective of statements that have been made in the house unanimously against these crimes in the short past,” the minister said.

He emphasised the need for increased crime intelligence operations.

However, opposition MPs, including the EFF’s Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, criticised the lack of a comprehensive crime prevention strategy, arguing that the current approach is reactive.

“There is no comprehensive crime prevention strategy and until that happens, you’re always going to run after the fact,” Ndlozi said.

Mchunu mentioned that an operational plan involving community policing forums and private security companies was underway, with agreements already in place in the Eastern Cape and Nelson Mandela Bay.

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

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