Extortion Crimes Surge Across South African Provinces, Defense Minister Denies Crisis Amid Budget Cuts
A surge in extortion-related crimes has been reported across several provinces in South Africa, with the KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner warning of a concerning trend of extortion groups targeting township tuck shops, particularly those owned by foreign nationals. Meanwhile, the country’s Defense Minister, Angie Motshekga, has denied claims that the defense force is in crisis amid budget cuts.
According to reports, extortion-related crimes have topped the list of incidents reported across the provinces of Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern and Western Cape. In KwaZulu-Natal, police fatally shot six men linked to a series of extortion-related crimes across the province. The gang was tracked to an apartment in Durban’s Point area, where they were killed after opening fire on police, who returned fire.
In a separate development, Defense Minister Angie Motshekga has acknowledged that budget cuts are affecting the effectiveness of the department. However, she dismissed claims that the defense force is in crisis and unable to perform its duties. Motshekga admitted that the department has not fully met the goals of the 2015 defense review and confirmed that the defense force lacks sufficient operational airplanes and that some navy ships are grounded, leading to reduced training and a halt in hiring recruits.
The minister also revealed that her deputy, Bantu Holomisa, is currently reviewing the document to address its shortcomings. In response to Democratic Alliance (DA) member Nick Godsell, Motshekga dismissed the notion that the declining budgets have crippled the defense force, saying that the situation is being managed with ongoing discussions with the Treasury to prevent system failure.
In another development, five people have been arrested in connection with an R2 billion clandestine drug laboratory in Limpopo. The accused, including Gonzales Jorge, 51; Gutierrez Lopes, 43; Simphiwe Khumalo, 35; Frederick Botha, 67; and Ruben Vidan Rodriguez, 44, were brought before the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court, facing charges of manufacturing, dealing, and possessing illicit drugs. Two of the accused, both South African nationals, are seeking bail, while their co-accused, who are Mexican nationals, have abandoned their bail applications. The Mexican nationals are also facing additional charges for violating South Africa’s Immigration Act.
These developments come as South Africa continues to grapple with various challenges, including crime and economic instability. As the country works to address these issues, it is crucial that the government and law enforcement agencies work together to ensure the safety and security of its citizens.
