Extortionists targeting 6 WC govt construction sites, provincial Infrastructure Dept tells MPLs

CAPE TOWN - Extortionists are targeting six Western Cape government construction sites worth nearly R400 million.

This has been revealed by the provincial Infrastructure Department in reply to a parliamentary question from the Democratic Alliance (DA).

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu told Parliament on Wednesday that police were targeting syndicates and gangs behind extortion in several parts of the country.

READ: 'There's more extortion going on than meets the eye' - Police Minister Mchunu

Formal and informal businesses, including hair salons, vegetable stalls, service stations, and schools are among those being targeted by criminals demanding protection fees in communities across the country.

However, government projects are also under threat and it's now been revealed that work at several construction sites, mostly for housing and schooling, has been delayed by as much as three years.

The DA's Dirk Wessels said that multiple incidents had been reported at some sites and were often linked to the same perpetrators.

"The Department of Infrastructure is working closely with SAPS and other stakeholders to ensure the swift and effective handling of these cases," said Wessels.

Wessels said that extortion was not only a criminal attack on government but also a direct assault on communities waiting for these essential services.