The Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen (Adv.) Thembisile Patekile has condemned the involvement of SAPS members who allegedly committed extortion-related crime over the weekend in the strongest terms possible. He reiterated that the offenders have no place in the SAPS and will be dealt with in accordance with the SAPS disciplinary regulations.
This follows the arrest of seven members attached to Public Order Police on Sunday, 06 October 2024 in connection with the allegations that they extorted two shops owned by Chinese nationals in Milnerton.
It is alleged that the members, accompanied by a suspect in civilian clothes, took an undisclosed amount of cash from the two shops, allegedly as protection money. After the incident was reported to police, members of the Anti-Corruption Unit and Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Unit detectives acted swiftly and apprehended the suspects last night in Milnerton while they were on duty. As the investigation unfolds, leads are pursued to identify more suspects who could also be arrested.
The seven police officials aged between 24 and 43 are expected to make their court appearance in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 09 October 2024 on the mentioned charges.
