Praises for police who pulled the plug on alleged EC extortionist

Eastern Cape Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha has commended the police for their decisive response to extortion in the province.

Officers killed alleged extortionist Sakhumzi Mareke and two suspected accomplices in Mthatha yesterday.

Mareke was earlier referred to as Dalinzolo, a name which he’s reported to have been given when he allegedly claimed to be a traditional leader.

The three started shooting at police who retaliated.

The Provincial Community Safety Spokesperson Makhaya Komisa has issued a stern warning for those on the wrong side of the law.

“The Eastern Cape government wants to warn criminals to refrain from attacking and blocking police from doing their job or face the music. We hope this incident will send a strong message to criminals that the time to send messages is long gone in the province,” says Komisa.

Community activist Phumla Mathaya says residents can finally breathe a sigh of relief after the killing of Mareke.

Mathaya says, “I am so happy and proud that the law at the end took its control because people were horrified and terrified. The community was complaining that he’s swimming in the same pool with the police. Yesterday, everything was proved that we are still a country that is functioning, that has rules and laws, it’s just a question of time for karma to deal with its victim.” – Additional reporting by Viola May

PODCAST | Interview with Mathaya on SAfm’s MORNING BRIEF programme on extortion incident: