Arrested: extortionists operating from inside prison walls
Communities across Cape Town are relieved by the arrest of two extortionists who allegedly continued their criminal operations from inside prison.
Western Cape SAPS spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg, confirmed the arrests, highlighting ongoing efforts to tackle extortion in the region.
“Investigation revealed that the two suspects operated from prison, extorting money from their victim who had to pay a weekly protection fee. They also created a false Facebook account and used the victim’s identity to sell products of which the buyers never received the products,” said Twigg.
The two men, aged 23 and 25, were apprehended by the Provincial Organised Crime Detectives and appeared in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 25 October 2024. They remain in custody.
A local businessman, speaking anonymously, said they lived in constant fear.
“We are victims of extortion. When they arrive, we have to give them money because we fear that we are going to get killed. Instead of working hard for our families we are working hard for extortionists,” he said.
A landlord, who owns eight rental flats, is also burdened with a weekly protection fee.
“The challenge with extortionists is that they are like cockroaches. They are everywhere. They kill each other every day for this money, but instead of becoming fewer they are increasing,” said the landlord.
Lizo Buthani, a Nyanga resident, believes the issue won’t end until gun access is controlled.
“The extortionists are using guns to kill their victims. Where do they get guns? Until we solve the issue of guns that are available everywhere, we can’t win the fight against the extortionists,” Buthani said.
“It goes back to the issue of criminals having so much freedom. Why do criminals have phones inside the prison? The reality is that they are operating from the inside. They are giving instructions. Our government needs to fix that first, then we will see change.”
The Western Cape SAPS is urging the public to report cases of extortion through the Western Cape Extortion Hotline at 0800 31 4444, ensuring that cases are fully investigated and those responsible are held accountable.
Pictured above: Wynberg Magistrate Court where the two alleged extortionists appeared on Friday.
Source: X