COPS arrested two men for allegedly extorting money from a community member running a business in Gugulethu, Cape Town on Sunday, 25 June.
Police spokesman Captain Frederick van Wyk, said cops were in Gugulethu during Operation Restore when they spotted suspicious-looking men walking on the street in NY108.
Cops stopped and searched them, and they found a firearm with 30 rounds of ammunition.
The owner of the firearm managed to produce a license for the cops. While the suspects were still with the cops, a resident arrived and told cops that the men had pointed a firearm at him and demanded a protection fee.
"One of these males produced a firearm license, and while the members were busy inspecting the firearm and license, an unknown member of the community came running to the members and informed them that they were pointed with a firearm by the same males and that they extorted money from them.
"The members immediately arrested and detained the two suspects. An undisclosed amount of cash was also found on the suspects, who will make their court appearance once charged," said Van Wyk.
Protection fee gangs have been terrorising businesspeople in Gugulethu.
A street vendor who spoke to Daily Sun said thugs charge protection fees from spaza shops ranging from R1 500 to R2 000 a month.
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"Those selling veggies may pay R500 per month, and those with bigger businesses pay more. Whether the business is doing well or not, they don't care. All they want is their money," he said.
Earlier in 2023, a hawker posted on Facebook that she received a note telling her that she would be protected, and she must prepare to pay money to pay for the services.
The post seen by the SunTeam reads: "We will be protecting you from the 25th of February 2023. Make sure you pay your protection fee. If you have any problems regarding this, you can call this number."
Extortion has hit almost all the kasis around Cape Town.
Three months ago, a woman who ran a hair salon was shot and killed in Samora Machel after she refused to pay a protection fee to a gang from the area.
