Following recent media reports of an alleged wave of extortion incidents in various parts of the province, with Mthatha being identified as the hotspot area, police records had fewer reported criminal cases. This prompted senior management in the Eastern Cape to launch a 24/7 hotline in Mthatha on August 23.
The launch was held at the Mthatha SAPS Academy in Mthatha.
During the launch, Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, said that they encourage the public to make use of the hotline. The Extortion Hotline number is 082 387 1561 and was officially declared open.
“We encourage the public to make use of the hotline. If the public is reluctant to open criminal cases, they are enticing the crime to continue unabated. We have noticed that social media is full of allegations of extortion, commonly known as ‘protection fees,’ but some of those alleged incidents did not reach us,” said Mene.
According to the statement issued by police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli, the SAPS is confident that the Extortion Hotline will assist in curbing these challenges of “protection fees,” especially if the public comes forward to report such incidents.
“The hotline is not an emergency line, nor does it replace other police communication lines. It must be noted that the line is specially meant to report incidents of extortion in the Eastern Cape Province only. It is available 24 hours and seven days a week,” said Nkohli.
He added that cases of extortion are investigated by the Provincial Organized Crime Unit in the province, which has extensive knowledge and experience in forensic investigation.
Nkohli confirmed that currently, there are 27 suspects behind bars who were nabbed in 11 cases, and most of them are linked to more than one case of extortion.
In all those cases, bail applications were successfully opposed, and they are active court cases.
