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Parliament had a hearing on Tuesday about the severity of the extortionist epidemic plaguing South Africa right now.

Extortion rackets and ‘protection’ syndicates have been running riot across the country. Police minister Senzo Mchunu noted the “shocking incidents of lowest morality” where church services, funerals and other family-related functions are being targeted by extortionists.

The violent gangs have demanded ‘protection’ fees from the likes of the Efata School for the Deaf and Blind in Mthatha, an Eastern Cape ophthalmologist called Anele Yako, doctors at Life Mercantile Hospital in Gqeberha, the Beerhouse pub in central Cape Town, and a 64-year-old Kraaifontein grandmother who sold food on the side of the road, among many many others.

Earlier this month, The Beerhouse pub on Long Street made the bittersweet announcement that it would be closing its doors for good. The beloved establishment could no longer bear the crushing weight of extortion fees, which have become an unbearable burden for many businesses in the heart of Cape Town.

Doctors at the Gqeberha hospital have been subjected to chilling threats, with anonymous callers warning they would be killed if they don’t pay up for “protection.” And these threats are far from empty: in Kraaifontein, the vendor was brutally gunned down, allegedly for falling short on extortion payments for July and August, per Daily Maverick.

Before the country turns into a full-throttle mafia state, the National Assembly had an urgent debate on Tuesday about the wave of extortion-related crime gripping the country.

Mchunu said extortion has been increasing over time and had now reached levels where communities “have become very angry, bitter and agitated, the pain has gone very deep”.

Mchunu continued: “The modus operandi of the perpetrators involved in these heinous acts is well known. Most of them are individuals who do not want to work but rather choose to parade as armies of murderous parasites that must be fought and rejected by society as a whole. They are often heavily armed, operating in groups that instil fear and chaos. The relative silence of communities and low reporting is all due to these fears.”

He recounted a recent operation in Milnerton, Cape Town, where extortionists were confronted, leading to a deadly shootout. Four people lost their lives in the clash with police, and another four were rushed to the hospital, Mchunu revealed.

He also mentioned that operations were underway in the Eastern Cape, particularly in Mthatha and Nelson Mandela Bay, targeting similar crimes such as illegal building occupations and stock theft. Furthermore, Mchunu noted that just three weeks ago, three individuals were arrested in Bronkospruit, Gauteng, and another three in Mpumalanga for extortion-related activities.

“Generally, there is more extortion going on than meets the eye. This requires more crime intelligence operations,” he said.

However, his address was low on detail as to how the “murderous parasites” would be brought to book.

“We have initiated the signing of cooperative agreements with provincial and local governments with operational plans seeking to integrate our resources against crime. Currently, the operational plan is being rolled out in Cape Town with its new six sub-districts.

“The model will be replicated in all metros in the country. The operational plan will include CPFs (community policing forums) and private security companies.”

MPs from across the political spectrum were unanimous in their opinion that urgent action needed to be taken.

EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said there was no comprehensive crime prevention strategy, noting “You are going to work with provinces and signing agreements; that has been done before. You are going to work with CPS and security companies; that has been done before,” he said.

“There is nothing that has come out today as to what are you planning to do with the people who are extracting 30% and rendering the state dysfunctional at a local level.”

DA MP Ian Cameron said extortion had reached a point of crisis, saying that extortion acts as an “additional illegal tax on an already strained economy, draining businesses of much-needed funds”. Freedom Front Plus MP Heloise Denner pointed out that the estimated cost of the extortion wave to the economy is R68 billion so far this year.

Wayne Thring, from the ACDP, noted that the National Prosecuting Authority isn’t following through with prosecution, with 722 extortionists arrested and only 52 convicted over the past year.

Multiple lawmakers pointed fingers at SAPS itself, with members potentially actively colluding with extortionists. Ndlozi bluntly noted that the reason the police are claiming ignorance is because the “police are embedded”. Meanwhile, Action SA’s Dereleen James suggested collusion was also politically connected, “as some reports indicate”.

Cameron spoke in favour of specialised police units focusing on extortion, which seems to be the best bet to thwart this crime wave.

“Strengthening community policing, improving witness protection programmes, and fostering collaboration between law enforcement, businesses, and communities are all essential steps towards responding to this existential threat,” Cameron said.

The MP proposed that South Africa take inspiration from countries like Japan, which has long grappled with the notorious Yakuza, and Italy, the birthplace of the Mafia, for fresh strategies to combat this scourge.

[sources:sowetanlive&dailymaverick]