Festive season: Police to focus on extortion, kidnappings & gang-related crimes

As the festive season approaches, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has committed to intensifying efforts to combat serious crimes, including extortion, kidnapping, and gang-related violence. These offenses, often on the rise during holiday periods, are being treated as top priorities for law enforcement to ensure the safety and security of citizens.

On Thursday, SAPS leadership officially launched the Western Cape Safer Festive Season Campaign in Mitchells Plain, one of the Cape’s most crime-ridden areas. With festive season activities drawing larger crowds and an increase in economic activity, the risk of crimes such as robbery, extortion, and gang violence tends to spike. SAPS is determined to address this surge with a focused, strategic approach that covers a wide range of criminal offenses.

National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola outlined SAPS’ strategy during the launch, noting that the plan is not limited to the Western Cape but will be implemented nationwide. “The festive season crime strategy will be rolled out across all provinces,” said Masemola, highlighting that crime prevention during this period requires a cohesive national effort.

Masemola emphasized that significant progress has already been made in reducing extortion-related crimes. He pointed out that extortion—where businesses, particularly in the informal sector, are forced to pay “protection fees” to criminal syndicates—remains a severe issue in South Africa, especially in the Western Cape. However, law enforcement agencies have stepped up to meet the challenge. “One of the focus areas is extortion, and we will continue arresting them,” Masemola said. “Those that challenge us, we are also ready to take them on.”

In recent years, the Western Cape, particularly Cape Town, has faced a marked increase in extortion rackets, often linked to violent gangs. Businesses ranging from construction firms to spaza shops have been targeted by these gangs, which demand money in exchange for “protection.” Failure to comply can result in violent retaliation, including arson or physical harm. SAPS’ crackdown on extortion aims to protect business owners and restore public confidence, particularly in neighborhoods that have been living under the shadow of these criminal operations.

In addition to tackling extortion, the police will focus heavily on gang-related violence, which has plagued communities like Mitchells Plain, Manenberg, and Lavender Hill for years. Gangs, often involved in drug trafficking and violent turf wars, pose a severe threat to residents’ safety. By prioritizing gang violence, SAPS hopes to curtail the seasonal spike in shootings and homicides that have become alarmingly common in gang-affected areas.

SAPS has identified nine key crime focus areas for the festive season, including gender-based violence (GBV), drug-related offenses, and drunk driving. With domestic violence cases also known to increase during the festive period, gender-based violence has become a critical issue that SAPS is addressing head-on. The festive season often brings financial pressures, family tensions, and higher alcohol consumption, leading to a rise in GBV cases. SAPS’ commitment to clamping down on such incidents ensures that vulnerable individuals are protected during this time.

The use of drugs and drunk driving are also areas of concern, particularly with the festive season’s numerous parties and celebrations. Drunk driving not only endangers the driver but also puts the lives of passengers, pedestrians, and other road users at risk. SAPS has reiterated that there will be a heightened police presence on the roads, with increased sobriety checkpoints to deter drunk driving and prevent accidents.

A key element of this year’s festive crime strategy is collaboration between various law enforcement agencies. Masemola praised the strong partnership between SAPS, metro police, and other law enforcement bodies in the Western Cape. “The collaboration between all law enforcement agencies in the Western Cape is encouraging,” he stated, emphasizing that this united front is essential in successfully reducing crime. By pooling resources and intelligence, law enforcement agencies can take a more proactive approach to crime prevention.

While the festive season is a time of celebration for many, it is also a period when criminal elements seek to exploit opportunities. SAPS’ Safer Festive Season Campaign aims to disrupt these activities and ensure that South Africans can enjoy their holidays in peace and safety.

With SAPS committed to cracking down on extortion, gang violence, and other serious offenses, communities in the Western Cape and across the country can feel assured that law enforcement will be working tirelessly to keep the streets safe during the festive season.

In other news – King Monada brutally punches a fan during a live performance – WATCH

Popular South African music producer and singer, King Monada brutally punches a fan during a live performance. This has sparked controversy after a video of him hitting a fan during a live performance surfaced online.

The incident quickly gained attention after entertainment commentator Musa Khawula shared the footage on X (formerly) Twitter, where it has since garnered close to 70,000 views. The video, which shows King Monada delivering a punch to a fan who had approached the stage, has ignited a heated debate on social media. Read More