E Cloete

The African National Congress condemns with the strongest terms the scourge of extortion and protection racketeering in the country. Criminal syndicates countrywide are demanding protection money from local businesses and have now expanded into targeting even schools and healthcare facilities.

The rise in these incidents includes a surge in water tank mafias, construction mafias, and other criminal syndicates that target local businesses demanding protection fees. Extortion in the construction sector has reached worryingly high levels, derailing and delaying projects worth billions of rands.

We commend the authorities who have since declared war against these syndicates. We call upon the communities with any information on these activities to take it to the police to solve these issues, as these mafias are daring and have no fear of the country’s laws. We appreciate the commitment by the Minister of Police to deploy more police on the ground to combat this rampant crime.