Langa residents are praising law enforcement officers for their efforts, after arresting one of the alleged extortionists in the area on Wednesday 15 July.
A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, described the suspect as dangerous. He said the suspect had been intimidating community members and collecting money from business owners.
Community welcomes arrest
“Langa is not that big. We know about every movement that takes place here. We had heard about people extorting local businesses and the suspect’s name was always mentioned. We believe there are other extortionists who are still at large. But let’s give credit where it is due, the officers did a great job,” he said.
Community fears retaliation from alleged extortionists
When City Vision asked why residents had not reported the suspect if they knew what he was doing, the community leader said they did not trust the officers.
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“Some officers are working with them. They know who the extortionists are, but they do not arrest them. We cannot take that risk and put our lives in danger,” he said.
Provincial police spokesperson Cont Ndakhe Gwala confirmed that a 21-year-old alleged extortionist was arrested for possession of prohibited firearms at Winnie Mandela Drive in Langa on Wednesday 15 July.
“The arrest was the result of a joint operation by members of Operation Lockdown III, Crime Intelligence and the drone unit, which provided aerial support. Information was received on Tuesday 14 July, about a suspect residing at Winnie Mandela Drive who was affiliated with a known extortionist group and in possession of firearms,” said Gwala.
Police monitor suspect collecting protection fees
She said the suspect’s movements were monitored as he drove around Langa collecting protection fees from spaza shops.
“On Wednesday 15 July, at about 22:00, the team descended on the area and combed it. Members confiscated two pistols without serial numbers and nine rounds of ammunition,” she said.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court once charged.
