Mchunu expected to make statement on rising extortion trend before National Assembly

CAPE TOWN - Extortion is back on Parliament's agenda on Tuesday, with Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu expected to make a statement on the rising trend before the National Assembly.

Mchunu will deliver a statement to the Assembly when members of Parliament (MPs) gather on Tuesday afternoon, regarding the actions taken by the police to address extortion threats in the country. 

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Mchunu's statement comes after he released crime statistics last week, which also showed an increase in crimes like kidnapping for ransom.

The minister had some words for extortionists last week, saying their days were numbered.

“The public will understand that extortions are now spreading like a wildfire in South Africa, and it's a crime that's receiving our attention.”

Mchunu will provide further details on how the police plan on combatting the rise in the organised crime trend, which has already cost lives. 

The crime was reported in all provinces except Limpopo and the Northern Cape, but special focus will be given to the likes of Eastern Cape, where traditional leaders are allegedly involved. 

While the latest quarterly crime statistics only reflected 30 cases of extortion nationwide in the first quarter, police said South Africans were not reporting cases due to fear and intimidation.