Govt Targets Extortion Syndicates as Part of Broader Crime Prevention Efforts

Mthatha has recently seen a surge in extortion activities by criminal syndicates, leading to the closure of at least one school and several businesses.

The government, through the Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security (JCPS) Cluster, is intensifying efforts to combat extortion and create safe environments for businesses and communities. Deputy President Paul Mashatile, addressing the first Three-Sphere Planning session of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) of the seventh Parliament in Cape Town, emphasized the importance of consolidating resources to eradicate extortion crimes, particularly in Mthatha, Eastern Cape.

Mthatha has recently seen a surge in extortion activities by criminal syndicates, leading to the closure of at least one school and several businesses. “We are also aware of the persistent issues of high levels of extortion crimes, particularly in Mthatha, Eastern Cape,” Mashatile noted, highlighting the urgency of addressing these challenges.

In his capacity as Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Mashatile outlined the Government of National Unity’s (GNU) three primary priorities: inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state. These priorities have been adopted in response to the ongoing challenges of a slow-growing economy, high unemployment, widespread poverty, and the prevalence of crime, corruption, and social fragmentation.

Mashatile stressed the seventh administration's commitment to investing in the construction of a capable, developmental state. "A developmental State, in our context, is a State that will redirect resources towards job creation and ensure that people have access to asset ownership, economic opportunity, education, healthcare, and other basic services," he said.

The Deputy President also highlighted the government's focus on building safer communities, emphasizing that this responsibility extends beyond law enforcement. “Building safer communities is not only a police responsibility, but it is a shared responsibility between the police, communities, and all sectors of our society,” he asserted, calling on citizens to collaborate with law enforcement agencies in combating crime.

The planning session, held under the theme "Establishing an Oversight Agenda for the Seventh Parliament: Defining Key Oversight Priorities for the NCOP in the Seventh Parliament," aims to enhance joint and integrated planning across government. This initiative aligns with Parliament's strategic innovation to promote cooperative governance and coordination.

Government believes that these efforts will strengthen the effective implementation of key transformation priorities, in line with the National Development Plan Vision 2030.