Business owners in the Witsand area of the Western Cape say they fear for their lives amid a surge in extortion cases, with several receiving typed letters this week demanding protection fees and warning of deadly consequences for non-payment.
The letters, delivered in some cases by children, instruct recipients to pay R1,500 or face repercussions. One business owner reported receiving such a chilling letter only days after opening operations. Community leaders have warned that extortion rackets are increasingly tightening their hold on township economies, prompting calls for urgent intervention by authorities.
Fear is spreading rapidly across the community, with some business owners now receiving final warnings. For certain families, the threat has turned tragically real.
A 58-year-old woman who sold chicken feet to support her family, was shot dead inside her home on Thursday in a suspected extortion-related attack. Her braai stand now stands empty.
Her family expressed deep uncertainty and grief. “We do not know the reason behind the shooting of our mother,” a family member said. “The speculations that it was a protection fee… yes, people do talk. The reason why maybe I would think that people say that it is protection fee or maybe she has said a word to someone that this is happening but… we are still in denial.”
The family added that it is “very hard for us to accept” and wished they could “take time back [and] redo things.” They described struggling to remain strong while living in constant fear, keeping gates locked in case those responsible return. Financial strain has compounded their pain, with the family stating, “We literally have no step forward. Right now we are also trying to see some maybe possible ways that we can be able to get some sort of finance so that we can be able to continue with the burial.”
Community leaders highlighted that extortion targeting township businesses is not a new phenomenon, but criminal networks continue to operate effectively, even from behind bars. “If a extortion gang was shot and died, a new extortion from prison will call you,” one leader noted. “So that’s how we have seen that this thing it seems a non-ending journey and that’s why many people have closed business.”
Leaders pointed out that the ability of these gangs to recruit and deploy operatives from inside or outside prison suggests they have developed methods that law enforcement has yet to counter effectively. They stressed the need for greater intelligence involvement to tackle the syndicates.
At least 13 people have died in suspected extortion-related shootings since the start of the year.
Business owners and residents continue to urge swift action from police and relevant authorities to curb the escalating violence and protect vulnerable township economies.
