- Several police officers in Milnerton were arrested for extorting money from local businesses in China Town, demanding protection fees.
- This scandal has left business owners fearing for their safety and questioning the integrity of the police.
- Investigations are ongoing, with 12 suspects arrested, including officers and civilians.
Business owners in Milnerton are questioning the integrity of the men in blue following the recent arrests of several Public Order Police (POP) officials for extortion at two Chinese shops in China Town, Milnerton.
The scandal, which unfolded on Sunday evening, 6 October, escalated with the arrest of an eighth police officer stationed in Harare and the detention of three civilians linked to the case.
It is alleged that the members, accompanied by a suspect in civilian clothes, took an undisclosed amount of cash from the two shops, allegedly as protection money. After the incident was reported to police, members of the Anti-Corruption Unit and Provincial Detectives acted swiftly and apprehended the suspects in Milnerton last week while they were on duty. As the investigation unfolds leads are pursued to identify more suspects who could also be arrested.
Police spokesperson Col André Traut confirmed to TygerBurger one of the suspects, a 51-year-old pastor, was arrested on a bus en route to Laingsburg, while a security officer was arrested at the mall where the extortion had occurred. His colleague who also performs duties at the mall was also arrested at his Khayelitsha residence.
12 suspects
Members of the Provincial Detectives also took three civilians, one male who is a former police officer and two females, in for questioning relating to the same incident. This brings the total number of suspects to 12 in relation to the incident.
“Eight police officers and three civilians appeared in court where the charges were withdrawn against two civilian females,” Traut related.
The eight police officers and one former police officer were detained until their next court appearance on 22 October.
The Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Thembisile Patekile, has condemned police officers who are party to extortion-related crimes. He stated such offenders had no place in the police force and would be dealt with in accordance with police disciplinary regulations.
A business owner told the newspaper he now feared for the safety of his shop.
“It’s incredibly unsettling to think that the very people tasked with keeping our community safe could be involved in extorting local businesses. As a shop owner, this raises serious concerns about the safety and security of my store. I’m left questioning whether I can trust those who are supposed to protect us. It’s vital for the police to restore our confidence and ensure that all businesses can operate without fear of exploitation,” he said.
