Criminal mafias hit another new target in South Africa

(005320.38-:E-003569.93:N-HO:R-SU:C-30:V)   

The rise of extortion mafias in South Africa, once limited to businesses and entertainment venues, has become an alarming crisis now targeting schools.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube recently raised deep concerns about the increasing rate of extortion in the Eastern Cape, as criminal networks expand their operations into educational institutions.

Her nationwide campaign to assess challenges in the education sector has highlighted how schools, once considered safe havens for learners, are now facing a dangerous threat from organised crime.

The Eastern Cape, home to over 5,000 schools, has become a hotspot for extortion-related crime.

Minister Gwarube’s first stop on her nationwide campaign was in Gqeberha, where she encountered reports of rampant criminal activities, particularly in schools.

One of the most disturbing incidents involved a group of extortionists storming the Efata School for the Blind and demanding R50,000 from a school nurse.

When the nurse refused, the criminals seised his mobile phone, laptop, and television.

They later sent a message to the school principal, reiterating their demand for the money.

This brazen attack, now being investigated by the police, underscores the urgent need for action.

The Eastern Cape Department of Education has referred the matter to law enforcement, but this single case is part of a larger issue plaguing schools throughout the region.

The infiltration of extortion mafias into schools is a chilling evolution of what began as a business-focused protection fee racket.

According to Ian Cameron, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, these criminal operations were initially concentrated in entertainment districts in Cape Town but have since grown into a nationwide menace.

“Extortionists thrive in an environment of lawlessness and lack of consequences for their actions,” Cameron noted.

“What started with isolated incidents has grown into a leviathan threatening businesses, long-distance buses, and, most disturbingly, schools.”

The expansion of these criminal syndicates into the education sector is particularly alarming because schools are poorly equipped to deal with such threats.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube
Unlike businesses that may have some financial capacity to hire security or pay extortion fees, schools often operate under tight budgets.

Minister Gwarube has urged the Provincial Department of Education to use its funds efficiently to improve learning conditions rather than returning unused money to the National Treasury.

This call for better resource management highlights the critical need for schools to allocate funding toward safeguarding both students and staff.

With the country just weeks away from the start of the matric exams, the safety of learners and educators is a growing concern.

“It’s absolutely a crisis for us,” Minister Gwarube said.

“We cannot have a situation where our educators and learners feel unsafe in our communities.”

She pointed out that certain neighborhoods in Nelson Mandela Bay are particularly affected, and other regions like the O.R. Tambo District are also facing serious extortion issues.

The minister made it clear that schools should remain places of safety, free from criminal interference.

The threat of extortion, coupled with other criminal activities, not only undermines the safety of schools but also disrupts the learning environment.

When students and staff are preoccupied with concerns about their safety, it becomes nearly impossible to focus on education.

This is especially troubling for matric students who are in the final stages of preparing for crucial exams.

One of the primary factors enabling the rise of extortion mafias is corruption within law enforcement. Cameron emphasized that corrupt police officers accepting bribes have contributed to the spread of these criminal networks.

“When police officers themselves are corrupt and take bribes, further erosion of trust will occur, empowering protection fee syndicates,” Cameron explained.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has been plagued by corruption, which allows extortion mafias to operate with impunity.

In 2023, reports from organizations like Corruption Watch highlighted the increasing number of complaints against the SAPS, with corruption cases involving law enforcement rising significantly.

This lack of accountability within the police force not only emboldens extortionists but also weakens public trust in the authorities tasked with protecting schools and communities.

The rise of extortion mafias in South Africa, now targeting schools, poses a serious threat to the country’s education system.

What began as a business-centered racket has evolved into a national crisis, with learners and educators facing increasing risks.

Minister Gwarube’s call for action reflects the urgent need to protect schools and restore a safe learning environment.

Without decisive intervention, the extortion crisis will continue to undermine not only education but also the broader fabric of South African society.

SOURCE:https://businesstech.co.za/news/lifestyle/789411/criminal-mafias-hit-another-new-target-in-south-africa/

Natalie