After more than two years of investigation detectives of the Western Cape police’s Serious Violent Crime Unit have nabbed four suspects in connection with an extortion ring operating in Stellenbosch and Kayamandi on Sunday (16 August).

A spokesperson for the Kayamandi Movement for Change said the community welcomes the arrests. “This news comes as a great relief to the community,” a statement from the organisation reads.

“The reality is that residents and local businesses do not feel safe. Extortion creates fear, undermines local businesses and has a serious impact on the wellbeing of the entire community.

“We may not fully understand the scale of the negative impact that extortion is having on the community because much of it happens in secret. Those who are being extorted are often afraid to speak out because they fear for their safety and do not know who they can trust.”

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Extortion has long been a problem in the Stellenbosch township, as Stellenbosch police’s station commander Brigadier Sandile Sonjani highlights.

He explains arrests like Sunday’s comes after months of surveillance by the crime intelligence unit which is also expensive to do. Sonjani says residents often think police aren’t doing anything to tackle such complex crimes and often their disinclination to report the crime means victims would rather “pay the extortionists in the dark”.

“Spaza shops are becoming easy targets particularly in the case of Somali nationals who are sophisticated to deal with,” he explains.

Collaborative effort

The coordinated take-down operation on Sunday evening saw a father, Madada Sibango (53) and his two sons, police officer Sandile (28) and Yamkela (23), from Nyanga and Somali businessman Abdulahi Ali Mursal (48) arrested in Bellville.

The police were assisted by crime intelligence, the drone unit, representatives of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), officials of the City of Cape and the Financial Intelligence Centre.

Four vehicles and various cellphones suspected to have been used to extort money from more than 50 businesses in Kayamandi and Stellenbosch was found. Cash worth around R120 000 was also seized.

The four allegedly regularly received “substantial amounts of cash” with the help of the Somali businessman.

It is believed he collected the specified amounts of money on stipulated dates on behalf of the other suspects.

Locals say despite the arrests, it is worrisome that a police officer is among the suspects. “If proven true, this would be extremely concerning as it raises serious questions about trust, safety and the integrity of those entrusted with protecting the community,” the movement said.

Anroux Marais, provincial minister for Police Oversight and Community Safety, said the arrests send an important message to criminal networks behind organised crimes.

“[Extortion] undermines local economies, threatens livelihoods, creates fear in communities and provides fertile ground for organised criminal networks to expand,” she points out.

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According to Sonjani. the members of the extortion syndicates are not residents Kayamandi but reside outside the area in areas like Nyanga, Mfuleni, Delft, Kraaifontein, Kuils River and Khayelitsha.

“All these activities happen among the locals, so it they should report suspicious behaviour in their immediate environment to police,” he stated.

The four appeared in the Bellville Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (18 August). They are charged in relation to extortion, money laundering and contravention of sections of the prevention of organised crime act.

The case has been postponed to next Tuesday (25 August).

• Community members are encouraged to report extortion related crime on the police’s extortion line 0800 314 444.