Security experts are urging the South African Police Service (SAPS) to adopt a permanent, comprehensive approach to tackle extortion, rather than relying on short-term initiatives like Operation Shanela. This follows Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's recent unveiling of a new plan to address the growing issue of extortion syndicates, which includes collaboration between law enforcement, government agencies, and private security firms.
The provinces most affected by extortion, according to authorities, are KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, the Western Cape, and Gauteng. Willem Els, a security expert from the Institute for Security Studies, emphasized the need for a more sustainable, long-term solution.
“We need to clean up this issue, and it seems that’s where the Minister is heading. It’s time to think outside the box and find fresh solutions to crime in South Africa, because the approaches we’ve been using in recent years haven’t worked,” said Els.
While the new plan aims to target extortion hotspots, experts argue that only a holistic strategy will bring lasting results in curbing the influence of extortion mafias.
