Eastern Cape extortionists target deaf and blind people

In a disturbing trend, extortionists in the Eastern Cape are now preying on people living with disabilities, forcing them to pay for protection against robberies.

Shockingly, these robberies are allegedly being committed by the same individuals who are demanding the protection money. Those who fail to comply risk having their homes forcibly taken from them.

The problem began with a land invasion next to a piece of land donated to blind and deaf individuals in Mthatha by an organisation that also developed the area and built houses.

The land is home to the Efata Special School for the Blind and Deaf, along with residences for people with disabilities and staff members.

Other affected areas in Mthatha West include Chris Hani Park, Slovo Park and Mandela Park.

Nomzingisi Nomgogwana, a resident, explained: “The area was full of houses after it was invaded. They gave people pieces of land and now we know no peace.”

She added that the land was donated more than 30 years ago to assist blind and deaf people in Mthatha.

“We were told to pay R200 per month for protection and to join a WhatsApp group where we could report any criminal activities for a response,” said Nomgogwana.

Earlier this week, police confirmed the arrest of five individuals aged between 39 and 57 on charges of extortion.

They made their first appearance in the Mthatha Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 23 July.

Although local chief Bishop Yolelo did not confirm or deny the extortion claims, he mentioned that the last discussion with the affected individuals was about land disputes. “They never returned and told me they are being extorted or abused,” he said.

‘They are desperate’

Lewis Nzimande, executive director of the South African National Council for the Blind, criticised the local police for not addressing the problem. “These are vulnerable members of society who deserve protection,” he said. Nzimande added that the council is providing legal support to affected members. “They are desperate for someone to at least take up the matter.”

Businesses in Eastern Cape towns such as Mthatha and Nelson Mandela Bay are also suffering from extortion demands, with some people even leaving the areas.

The Eastern Cape recently entered a recession, after its GDP declined for three consecutive quarters. The largest contributors to this decline were the construction, manufacturing and mining industries.

Dr Andile Nontso, secretary-general of the OR Tambo District Chamber of Business, warned that Mthatha could become a ghost town if the rampant crime is not addressed, because the crime would lead to unprecedented job losses.

The deputy president of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, Kelvin Naidoo, was rescued on Thursday after being kidnapped the previous Friday. His kidnappers had demanded a ransom, but it remains unclear whether it was paid for his release.

There has been an increase in kidnappings of businessmen and prominent figures in the area.

The DA leader in the province and the party’s spokesperson on community safety, Yusuf Cassim, said he had tabled a motion that was passed unanimously by the Eastern Cape Legislature, which compelled the MEC for community safety to convene a crime and safety summit in Nelson Mandela Bay. The summit was convened earlier this year.

“Unfortunately, the MEC has yet to publish the resolutions of the summit and no interventions have been made, as requested. We believe that there is an urgent need to strengthen crime intelligence and crime­fighting technology to prevent these syndicates from operating with impunity.”

New Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said last week that “construction mafia” crimes were also being taken seriously and re­mained a priority. “This trend is associated with destructive activities which disrupt construction and infrastructure development, which our country urgently requires.

Read more: SA police Minister Senzo Mchunu on a mission to modernise policing to tackle ‘intolerable’ crime

“Genuine quests for economic transformation can be handled through the correct channels and using existing policy prescripts, without resorting to hijacking construction sites and using extortion to source business.”

Kamogelo Mogotsi, spokesperson for the minister of water and sanitation, reiterated the ministry’s commitment to fighting crime, as outlined in a recent media briefing and the budget vote tabled in the National Assembly.

“Some of the ministry’s priorities include increased use of technology to deter and detect crime, strengthening crime intelligence, capacitating the SAPS through the intake of 10,000 annual trainees, regular refresher courses for police officers, and increasing police visibility,” said Mogotsi.

Mzukisi Solani, Eastern Cape social development spokesperson, condemned the criminal acts against vulnerable people.

“The MEC of the department, Bukiwe Fanta, always takes a dim view of any act of criminality visited upon the vulnerable sector in our society,” he said.

Solani called upon families and communities to offer the first line of defence and urged law enforcement to deal harshly with those who abuse vulnerable indi­viduals. DM

This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.