RISE Mzansi has taken note of the of the response to Mthatha extortion rings by the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, and the National Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, which is to deploy the National Intervention Unit (NIU) and the Tactical Response Team (TRT) or Amaberete.
While this will do well in improving visible policing, it is a reactive response to a societal emergency that has threatened the way of life for residents in Mthatha, Gauteng, KwaZulu- Natal and Cape Town in different forms.
A necessary response to this emergency, which has threatened every aspect of life for the Mthatha community, requires the deployment of the Crime Intelligence Division working with the Hawks and the newly empowered Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) housed in the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), alongside the community which is under siege.
The community of Mthatha and others across the country have been infiltrated by these gangs, which have seemingly outsmarted the police, therefore the necessary response is for intelligent and specialised policing not just brute force, so as to untangle the captured community structures from these rings. In many instances its difficult to tell the extortion rings from legitimate community and business forums.
In order to get a better understanding of this form of organised crime and the effectiveness of the current response, RISE Mzansi has submitted questions for reply to the Minister of Police. The crux of our questions seek to understand whether the ring leaders, not just ‘runners’ are being identified, arrested, prosecuted and sent to jail.
Moreover, I will raise this matter at the appropriate time during a sitting of the Portfolio Committee on Police.
In order to dismantle these networks, it will require a whole of society approach, meaning the community working with law enforcement authorities, so that stability can be brought to these communities, allowing for normal social, cultural and economic activities to continue.
Issued by:
Makashule Gana MP
RISE Mzansi National Assembly Caucus Whip
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Mabine Seabe
National Communication Director 084 677 7851