'People can’t stand up to extortion if we don’t protect them' – Researcher

Africa Melane speaks with Jenni Irish-Qhobosheane of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime.

Listen below.

Extortion rackets are spreading from urban centres to small towns and communities across South Africa.

These organised crime syndicates disrupt development and undermine economic stability.

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Groups will threaten projects and individuals with violence unless they pay for 'protection'.

According to Irish-Qhobosheane, extortion becomes very difficult to deal with if it is not stopped before it becomes entrenched.

She adds that this needs to be dealt with through policing, communities, and businesses banding together.

However, she says we cannot expect businesses or individuals to stand up against extortion if they are not protected from the consequences.

For communities to push back on extortion they need effective lines to report extortionists, and these reports must be acted on.

“People need to feel that when they report, something happens.”

- Jenni Irish-Qhobosheane, Researcher - Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime

One caller says that in his community people are too scared to report extortion or crime because the police share their report with the extortionists.

“What are people supposed to do if they can’t get help from the authorities?”

– 702 Caller from Pretoria

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.