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Cape Town police are putting the hammer down on extortionists, with the latest battle against the scourge leaving four alleged extortionists dead and four injured.
This followed the Police’s Operational Command Centre’s Combat Team following up on information about a group of seven men in a white minibus taxi terrorising shop owners in Du Noon.
According to the police, the Combat Team pursued the men along Bosmansdam Road when the suspects opened fire on the cops, who retaliated in kind, eventually bringing the minibus to a stop. Following the firefight, three suspects were killed and four were left injured. No SAPS members or civilians were injured.
Police spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut told the media that an assault rifle, a 9mm pistol, an undisclosed amount of cash, as well as the minibus taxi were confiscated.
News24 reports that the identities of the alleged extortionists are yet to be confirmed, but police are following several leads to prepare charges against the group.
“The three fatalities and the injuries sustained by the four suspects are being investigated by IPID [Independent Police Investigative Directorate] and a death inquest case docket has been registered for this purpose.”
The MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, said: “Extortion is growing in prominence, and it must be nipped in the bud. I commend the police for the firm action against extortion in the Western Cape.”
