Alleged extortion kingpin killed in Eastern Cape police shootout
Image: File
THE suspected extortion kingpin killed during a recent shoot out with the police had apparently demanded to be paid R1000 'protection fee' by each teacher of an Eastern Cape school.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Nobuntu Gantana said an investigation was launched following extortion allegations against teachers from a local school in Ngqeleni.
A threatening letter was reportedly sent to the school where gang members demanded R1 000 in protection fees from each teacher, with warning of repercussions if payments were not made.
'An investigation was launched following a demand of protection fee from teachers in one of Ngqeleni high schools by self-proclaimed extortion gang member/s. The case is investigated by the Eastern Cape Provincial Organised Crime Unit. A 30-year-old male suspect was fatally wounded during an exchange of gunfire with police in the Canzibe Administrative Area, Ngqeleni.'
She said officers attached to Tactical Response Team (TRT) were acting on intelligence regarding a suspect linked to a local extortion ring, and came under fire when they attempted to stop a vehicle driven by the suspect.
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'The suspect stopped the vehicle and opened fire on the police officers. Police returned fire in self-defence, fatally wounding the suspect. A 9mm pistol and ammunition were recovered at the scene. The deceased suspect was accompanied by a male passenger at the time of the incident. The passenger has been taken in for questioning.'
No police officers were injured during the incident.
'All necessary role players attended the scene. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) will investigate the shooting as per standard protocol.'
Criminologist Dr Simon Howell said the most effective strategy to tackle issues like extortion involves a multi-nodal, multi-departmental approach that includes cooperation across different law enforcement bodies and government departments. Success depends on simultaneous engagement at multiple levels.
'It may have an impact but considering the extent and complexity of organised criminal networks especially those involved in extortion, I don't think that one individual would have that significant of an impact.
'We need to understand extortion is embedded in the daily governance and operation of the South African bureaucracy so it's very difficult (to tackle). Removing an individual is not necessarily going to do anything except create a leadership vacuum and perhaps some infighting,' said Howell.
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