Africa-Press – South-Africa. On Thursday, a man accused of extorting one of the taxi drivers who park near the bus station off Strand Street in Cape Town was arrested by police.
Spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk said the victim claimed that he had been accosted by some of the taxi drivers who operate from there, and that they had demanded R500 from him.
“The taxi drivers threatened to impound the vehicle if he does not comply, but when they searched the complainant, they found him to be without money,” said Van Wyk.
They then took his cellphone and said he could get it back once he paid the R500.
One of the suspects was spotted at the busy bus terminus. He was arrested on Thursday night and will appear in court once charged.
Authorities have been attempting to clamp down on extortion in the city, which ranges from demanding “protection money” from nightclub owners, to transport sector operators demanding a cut of money from anybody who plies routes purportedly controlled by shadowy groupings.
Some brazenly issue receipts for the “fees” they demand from people using routes already regulated by the government.
The extortion cuts into profits and, at times, explodes into violence with guns drawn in anger.
Inside Cape Town’s taxi war: Extortion ‘receipts’ and safe passage letters
Extortionists are also known to demand “protection” from construction companies to make sure their trucks aren’t attacked and their building materials remain safe.
During his debate on the State of the Nation Address, Police Minister Bheki Cele said an extortion steering committee was already at work in the Western Cape, and a national task team for all nine provinces was in the making.
“We know this crime is a motive for a series of multiple shootings in areas such as Khayelitsha and Gugulethu,” he said.
In an unrelated matter, the Provincial Extortion Task Team arrested a Kraaifontein taxi owner for alleged possession of an unlicenced firearm on Thursday night, following a tip-off.
The 30-year-old man had a Norinco Star pistol, with the serial number filed off, and six rounds of 9mm bullets.
He faces charges of possession of a prohibited firearm and illegal possession of ammunition, and will appear in court once charged.
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