Four suspected extortionists killed in a shootout in Cape Town

Four suspected extortionists have been killed in a shootout with the police in Milnerton, Cape Town.

Police spokesperson Novela Potelwa says officers came under fire from the occupants of a minibus, they then returned fire.

She says four other suspects were wounded and are in a medical facility under police guard.

Potelwa says four firearms and rounds of ammunition were seized from the vehicle.

“A police task team that was following up on information about alleged extortion is in the area. When the occupants of the vehicle spotted the police in pursuit, they started firing shots at them and the police retaliated. As a consequence, there were four fatalities and four injuries. Police are still investigating.”

#sapsWC An operation by a Western Cape task team following intelligence about #wanted alleged extortionists led to a shootout between the police and the suspects who were driving in a minibus on Thursday evening in Milnerton. Four suspects were shot and killed and four other… pic.twitter.com/GsrNvzdgRI

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 30, 2024

“Government will deal with extortion gangs”

Deputy President Paul Mashatile on Tuesday said government will deal with extortion gangs. He said law enforcement agencies will pull resources together to fight the growing problem.

Mashatile was addressing the Three Spheres Planning Session in the National Council of Provinces.

Mashatile emphasised that intergovernmental relations must be strengthened before he addressed the challenge of what he calls the high levels of extortion.

“We will chairperson through the JCPS cluster bring together resources to put an end to these extortions and ensure that communities may conduct their businesses without fear or intimidation.”