Cape Town - Criminals in Bishop Lavis have been allowed to continue their extortion while SAPS has “insufficient resources” to tackle the problem.
This is the sentiment of Bishop Lavis Community Policing Forum (CPF) spokesperson, Graham Lindhorst, in light of allegations that the construction of a KFC outlet had to be halted due to demands from contractors for protection fee money.
Lindhorst said they were “very despondent” with a response from SAPS to quell the situation.
“There has been a number of extortion issues plaguing the community, including the fibre installation in the area and housing development, but it really is just getting out of hand now and for SAPS to sit back and say they have no resources to address the situation makes us as a community believe we are on our own. SAPS has really disappointed us in this case because they know these are criminal elements and they are doing nothing.
“This has been going on for years now and SAPS knows who is sitting behind it because it has been reported before but our community is gripped in fear by these criminal forces. We have never felt as disappointed in SAPS as we do now. They have failed the community,” said Lindhorst.
SAPS spokesperson, Andrè Traut, could not confirm if patrols around affected businesses were increased to eliminate alleged extortion, but confirmed an investigation was under way.
“The matter you are referring to is under investigation by our Provincial Extortion Task Team. Due to the serious nature of the allegations and our strong approach to root our extortion in this province, this office will not be elaborating on the finer aspects of the case at this stage,” said Traut.
SAPS has urged any victim of extortion to report the matter to its toll-free extortion hotline on 0800 314 444.
Cape Times