Gang Violence Escalates in Eastern Cape, Protection Fee Crisis Reaches Schools
Eastern Cape – The growing crisis of gang violence and extortion in the Eastern Cape has reached alarming levels, with even schools becoming targets.
On the afternoon of yesterday, a group of six armed criminals stormed Alfonso Arries Primary School, leaving students and teachers in a state of terror.
The attackers forced teachers, including Miss Magwaca, to the ground, seizing her car and other valuables.
Read / Eastern Cape Nurse Denied Bail for Kidnapping and Extortion
The gang also stole phones, cash, and laptops from several staff members before fleeing the scene.
The incident at Alfonso Arries Primary School is a chilling example of the escalating lawlessness in the province, where even educational institutions and clinics are now being forced to pay protection fees.
Reports indicate that some school principals have fled their posts, fearing for their lives amid threats of assassination.
The situation mirrors the violent events in the Western Cape, where over the weekend, three individuals were killed, and six others injured, in confrontations related to the refusal to pay protection fees.
The extortion epidemic is not limited to these regions, with other provinces like the Northern Cape, Free State, Limpopo, North West, and Mpumalanga also grappling with similar issues.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, a well-known bus company operating across South Africa recently reported losing over R100,000 per month due to extortion-related disruptions.
Additional Capacity Deployed to Eastern Cape to Combat Gang Violence and Extortion
In response to the escalating crisis, the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, announced the deployment of additional resources to the Eastern Cape.
These multidisciplinary teams are tasked with preventing, investigating, and arresting those responsible for gang violence and extortion in the region.
This deployment follows a visit and series of community engagements in Mthatha and Gqeberha, led by the Minister of Police, Mr. Senzo Mchunu, Deputy Ministers Mr. Cassel Mathale, Ms. Polly Boshielo, and the SAPS Management.
The MEC for Community Safety in the province, Mr. Xolile Nqata, and the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Executive Mayor, Gary Van Niekerk, were also involved in these critical discussions.
The teams on the ground include detectives from the organised crime and serious violent crime units, operatives from the National Intervention Unit (NIU), and Crime Intelligence Officers, all working to bolster the province’s efforts against the “protection fee gangs.”
General Fannie Masemola emphasized that communities must not be held hostage by these criminal elements and urged citizens to report incidents of extortion.
“The challenge we face is the reluctance of community members to report these crimes. We need their cooperation to arrest these extortionists and build strong cases that can stand up in court,” said General Masemola.
The SAPS has made progress in curbing gang extortion, with 722 extortionists arrested in the past five years.
Of these, 52 have been convicted and collectively sentenced to over 89 years in prison.
However, the National Commissioner acknowledged that more work is needed, with 93 ongoing investigations into identified groups and individuals.
One of the most high-profile cases involves Ralph Stanfield, a notorious gang leader in the Western Cape, his wife, and fourteen others.
They are currently facing 32 charges related to the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, specifically for extortion fees.
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