Businesses and schools in South Africa are under threat from a “protection fee” gang that has forced many to close down due to intimidation and violence.
A business owner from Mthatha, who wished to remain anonymous for safety reasons, revealed that she has been paying R100,000 each month to criminals for the past year.
“I’m exhausted and my family lives in constant fear. My business has been struggling since Covid, and now I’ve decided to close it down. I can’t take it anymore. I feel terrible for my employees, but I have to let it go,” she said.
An eye-care specialist in Mthatha also closed his business, Mthatha Ophthalmology Medical Practice, mentioning “hostile criminal activities” as the reason for his decision in a statement last week.
Now schools in the Mthatha West area have also fallen victim to these extortion attempts.
Abathembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo has decided to step in after four school principals reported being threatened by criminals demanding money from school funds.
Princess Ntando, the spokesperson for the King, told Scrolla.Africa that one deputy principal was assaulted in front of students at Laphumikhwezi Primary School after refusing to hand over school funds.
“The King is very upset because children are afraid to attend school, and teachers don’t feel safe. That’s why the King will hold a meeting at the school on Tuesday to find a lasting solution,” she said.
Eastern Cape Education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima confirmed that three schools — Laphumikhwezi Primary, Efata School for the Blind, and Mandela Primary — have been targeted, with a fourth school yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, in KwaZulu-Natal, areas like Umlazi, Lamontville, and eMpangeni near Richards Bay are known hotspots for extortion, where street vendors and Uber Eats drivers are forced to pay from R50 a day.
In Western Cape townships, multiple gangs are collecting protection fees from vendors, forcing many to close their businesses.
Those who stop paying are often forced to sell goods on behalf of the criminals, who then take all the profits.
Deputy defence minister Bantu Holomisa also said intervention by soldiers will not solve a “protection fee” syndicate.
Pictured above: Abathembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo who has decided to intervene as “Protection Fee” gangs terrorise businesses and schools in Mthatha.
