The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed the death of a local Eastern Cape king following a dramatic shootout involving the National Intervention Unit (NIU) on Wednesday, 4 September 2024.
The king, who had allegedly been extorting protection fees from residents in the region, was killed alongside two of his associates during a confrontation with police.
The incident unfolded when members of the NIU, tasked with tackling criminal activities, including extortion, arrived at the king’s residence in Mthatha as part of an ongoing investigation.
According to police reports, officers began searching the premises when the king was not home.
Upon his return, he reportedly confronted the police, demanding to know why they were searching without his permission.
The situation quickly escalated, with the king allegedly brandishing a firearm and questioning the officers’ right to be on his property.
According to SAPS spokesperson Colonel Siyanda Malanga, the king, along with two of his associates, opened fire on the police.
Officers were forced to retaliate, resulting in a shootout that left the king and his two associates dead.
“Police acted in self-defense after being fired upon. Unfortunately, the confrontation ended fatally,” said Colonel Malanga.
“The king had been a person of interest in several ongoing investigations related to extortion in the area, where he allegedly demanded protection fees from local residents and businesses.”
The NIU had been tracking extortion cases in Mthatha, a problem that has gripped the region for months.
Residents had accused the king of leading a network that intimidated community members into paying for their own safety.
Following the shootout, SAPS recovered three firearms from the scene, adding to the evidence connecting the king and his associates to the extortion racket.
One officer, a warrant officer in his forties, was injured in the gunfire and has been taken to the hospital for treatment.
An inquest docket has been opened to investigate the circumstances surrounding the king’s death, and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) will handle the case to ensure a thorough review of the incident.
The local community is now reeling from the event, with many residents expressing relief that the extortion ring has been disrupted, while others mourn the loss of their traditional leader.
Authorities have urged calm as investigations continue and have called on anyone with additional information regarding the extortion scheme to come forward.
This shootout and the death of a prominent figure underscore the deep-rooted challenges law enforcement faces when dealing with crime networks entrenched within communities.
The Eastern Cape remains a region of focus as police work to dismantle extortion rings and bring those responsible to justice.
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