Only one conviction from 331 extortion arrests in Western Cape

Serious concerns have been raised about the State’s ability to successfully prosecute extortion cases in the Western Cape, after figures revealed that hundreds of arrests have resulted in just a single conviction.

According to a parliamentary reply cited by the Democratic Alliance (DA), 331 people were arrested for extortion-related offences in the province between 1 April 2024 and mid-December 2025, yet only one conviction has been secured. During the same period, 571 extortion cases remain under investigation.

The DA said the figures point to a justice system struggling to dismantle extortion syndicates that continue to terrorise communities, cripple small businesses and disrupt essential services across the province.

The concerns are partly reflected in official SAPS crime statistics for the second quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, which show extortion-linked violence emerging as a persistent feature of serious crime in the province. SAPS data records 25 murders and 35 attempted murders between July and September 2025 that were classified as “extortion related” under causative factors — accounting for 2.2% of all murders and 3.1% of attempted murders recorded during the quarter.

While extortion-related killings make up a smaller proportion compared to gang or robbery-related murders, the figures underscore the violent nature of extortion networks and their overlap with organised crime.

The SAPS report further shows that extortion is often linked to intimidation and retaliation, with incidents occurring in public spaces and at residences, where victims are pressured into paying so-called “protection fees” under threat of violence.

The DA estimates that extortion has caused economic losses of more than R10.7 million over the reporting period, dealing a blow to already strained local economies.

Of particular concern, the party said, is the growing impact on essential public services. Social workers, healthcare personnel have increasingly been threatened and extorted, leading suspended services in high-risk areas.

DA Western Cape spokesperson on Police Oversight and Community Safety, Benedicta van Minnen, said the low conviction rate sends a dangerous message.

“While arrests are welcome, the DA is extremely concerned by the unacceptably low conviction rate. This sends a dangerous message that extortion syndicates can operate with near impunity, while victims remain fearful of reporting these crimes due to threats and intimidation,” she said.

Speaking at the presentation of the quarterly crime statistics on Wednesday, Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions Nicolette Bell pointed to deep challenges in prosecuting extortion cases.

“We have difficulty getting witnesses to report the incidents and when they are reported, for them to come and testify.” Bell said.

Bell said fear within communities remains one of the biggest obstacles to successful prosecutions.

“Extortion is rife, it’s creating fear amongst communities but if we don’t know about it and we don’t have evidence, we can’t prosecute those matters.”

The DA has called for urgent intervention to strengthen investigations and improve the quality of case dockets, warning that without higher conviction rates, extortion syndicates will continue to operate with impunity across the Western Cape.

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Cape Argus