Over 200 people arrested for extortion: Mchunu

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu says 251 arrests have been made in various provinces in relation to extortion gangs targeting small businesses, since April last year.

A total of 312 cases related to extortion have been registered at various courts.

This information is contained in a written parliamentary reply.

Mchunu says most arrests and court cases are in the Western Cape.

None of these cases have seen prosecutions yet, as they are still on the court roll.

Mchunu adds that an investigative capacity has been established within the Detective and Forensic Services division, to address the incidents of extortion and violence at construction and business sites.

38 out of 2000 Eastern Cape extortion cases investigated: Mchunu

On Friday, the Minister indicated extortion cases reported to the police in the Eastern Cape on the extortion hotline, were being investigated.

He said most cases were part of tip-offs that enabled police to find the suspected masterminds behind extortions in the province.

Mchunu was speaking in Gqeberha during the signing of the Agreement of Cooperation between the three spheres of government, to combat the high levels of crime in the province.

Mchunu gives an update on crime prevention efforts: