The Western Cape government is intensifying its battle against extortion by implementing a comprehensive, collaborative strategy that brings together law enforcement, the private sector, and local communities.
Premier Alan Winde has described this issue as a ‘cancer’ that threatens both economic growth and public safety in the province.
Speaking at his weekly digital press conference (digicon) on safety, Premier Winde was joined by Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA) Western Cape Chairperson, Hubert Paulse, to showcase the province’s increased multi-sectoral efforts to confront the growing scourge of extortion.
“This was about the whole of government and society coming together to coordinate ourselves better to confront this ‘cancer’ called extortion and to discuss how we are going to rid ourselves of this horrendous crime that impacts so many of our residents and businesses,” said Winde.
“It strangles economic growth and job creation. Daily, it threatens residents’ safety and their livelihoods, robbing them of opportunities and their dignity.”
Winde stressed that the only way to dismantle these extortion networks, often referred to as “extortion mafias”, is through collaboration across all levels of society. “The only way we will eradicate ‘extortion mafias’ is if we all work together,” he said.
Extortion emerged as a key focus at this week’s Western Cape Government Multi-Sectoral Anti-Extortion Summit, which convened provincial ministers, SAPS representatives, the City of Cape Town, and academics to coordinate strategies aimed at combating the extortion crisis affecting local communities and businesses.
BACSA, a non-profit public-private partnership established in 1996, has played a leading role in building safety partnerships across the country.
Paulse highlighted how the organisation’s initiatives are being used to fight extortion and other crimes, stating:` “Our message is simple but powerful. We foster collaboration with all stakeholders to fight crime. When we work together, we do not just reduce crime, we restore hope. And with hope comes confidence. Businesses become more willing to invest, and that investment leads to the creation of more jobs.”
One of BACSA’s key crime-fighting tools is its Eyes and Ears Initiative (E2), a technology-driven platform that links private security companies and other vetted partners with SAPS command centres.
According to Paulse, this network uses surveillance tech such as drones and licence plate recognition to bolster real-time law enforcement responses.
“The private security industry outnumbers the police service 4:1. We are using that geographical footprint to increase the operational response and awareness of the SAPS,” said Paulse.
He added that the Western Cape is “the first province that has E2 controllers in all 6 policing districts.”
Premier Winde reinforced the need to outpace criminals by embracing innovation.
“Criminals are using technology. We have to be one better than them.”
Beyond tech solutions, Winde reiterated the importance of community involvement through neighbourhood watches and community policing forums.
“There is no doubt that residents who form or join NHWs know more about what is going on in their areas than anyone else, and they form essential partnerships with SAPS and municipal law enforcement,” he said.
Paulse echoed this view, saying, “We call it ‘community-oriented policing’. That is what we are promoting.”
Ahead of the digicon, Winde also chaired a meeting of the Western Cape Provincial Safety Council, where he welcomed a recent proposal by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to give metro law enforcement agencies more authority.
“This is a positive step forward, we must all be obsessed and driven by the same thing: to build a safer, prosperous province and country,” the Premier said.
The council also received updates on the Safer City Collaboration Cooperation Agreement signed in August 2024, which is focused on strengthening intelligence-sharing and operational coordination between SAPS, provincial departments, and the City of Cape Town.
Condemning recent taxi-related violence, Winde praised the swift and coordinated response.
“It is intolerable that disputes are ‘negotiated’ through the barrel of a gun. I want to commend all the role players, from provincial traffic and city law enforcement to SAPS and our officials, for the speed and coordination with which they responded to the violence and threats. You truly showed how powerful we can be when we work together.”
News
