Extortion forces eleven ECD centres in Philippi to close
Community leaders have called on those affected by extortion to come forward so that cases can be made and investigated
Image: File
Eleven Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in Philippi have been forced to shut their doors after criminal syndicates demanded “protection fees” of up to R10,000, targeting institutions that care for and educate young children.
According to community leader Dumisani Qwebe, extortion is widespread across areas such as Browns Farm and Marikana.
“There are incidents I heard of in Browns Farm, but when we interact with those people running those ECDs, they don’t want to interact and we can also understand why. In Marikana, even the guys working in the streets are being extorted for R2,000,” Qwebe said.
He highlighted the broader impact on children and communities: “Children in Philippi are now left without access to early education, daily meals, and safe environments, while remaining centres are pushed beyond capacity. Extortion in certain areas like Browns Farm is rife, and some informal traders are paying on the side as well.
“We need to be vocal to address this issue.There is a domino effect, these children learn at creche, it’s their future. Even if there is just one person to come forward, the police cannot investigate because no case is made. We need to police these drug spots, because the extortion starts there.”
The crisis was brought to light by Lisa Schickerling, DA Spokesperson on Police, who condemned the extortion in the strongest terms.
“Armed criminal networks are demanding ‘protection fees’ of up to R10,000 from ECD centres. When principals refuse, they are met with threats, intimidation, and violence. Educators are being driven out, classrooms are looted, and safe learning spaces are destroyed,” she said.
Schickerling highlighted that fear and intimidation have kept many incidents from being formally reported, allowing syndicates to operate with impunity. “Where the state fails, criminals thrive,” Schickerling said.
The party called for urgent action, including:Immediate, visible policing interventions in affected communities by SAPS, Specialised anti-extortion task teams within SAPS, expansion of policing powers to local government for more effective, localised responses, stronger coordination between SAPS, the City of Cape Town, and programmes such as LEAP, urgent protection measures for ECD centres and schools, swift arrests, and prosecution of those responsible.
She also called for emergency support to reopen affected centres without delay.
“South Africa cannot build a future if criminals are allowed to shut down its classrooms. Enough is enough,” Schickerling said.