Police kill two alleged extortionists in Mthatha shootout

26 Sep 2024

On Thursday afternoon, the police killed two people who opened fire on members of the National Intervention Unit in Mthatha.

Two suspects, both aged 35, were fatally shot after exchanging gunfire with police officers in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, on Thursday, said police spokesperson Lieutenant Siphokazi Mawisa.

She said the police received information that the men were collecting protection money from businesses in Ngcengane, just outside Mthatha.

Members of the National Intervention Unit (NIU) responded and spotted the suspects’ vehicle, a Volkswagen Polo while approaching the village. They forced it to stop and the suspects stepped out of the car and shot at the police, who returned fire, fatally wounding the suspects. No SAPS members were harmed.

The police recovered two unlicensed firearms and ammunition and an undisclosed amount of cash.

Mawisa said the Independent Police Investigative Directorate would investigate the incident.

The Eastern Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, said, “This sends a stern warning to the perpetrators that police are compressing crime and stamping the authority of the state.”

Extortion and shootouts in Eastern Cape

On 4 September, Dalinzolo “Sakie” Mareke — a self-styled “traditional leader” from Mthatha West who had allegedly extorted protection money from schools in the area — and two of his companions were killed in a shootout with members of the NIU.

The following day, a man who shot at members of the NIU during a police operation was killed in Gqeberha. On 7 September, a member of the Mthatha NIU unit was ambushed by a man who fired shots at him while he was driving to work. The shooter was injured and arrested.

Read more: Police shoot dead Mthatha ‘traditional leader’ implicated in school extortion scheme

Speaking in Mthatha on 8 September, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola said the “highly trained members [of the NIU] are also tasked with tracing dangerous and highly armed criminals who are involved in serious and violent crime including extortions.

“This is one of the SAPS units that leaves nothing to chance in ensuring the safety and security of all people living in South Africa, and that is why when they are targeted, the SAPS will mobilise all resources to stamp the authority of the state, to protect and defend communities firstly, but also to protect our members.

“We are not going to fold our arms and allow a situation where our dedicated and hardworking police officers who are entrusted with investigating and tracing hardened criminals are targeted.

“The fact that these criminals went as far as tailing our members to their base tells us that we are dealing with criminals who have no regard for the rule of law,” he said, referring to the Mareke incident.

It is understood that Mareke’s house had been searched by the police earlier on 4 September. He was not at home, but later went to find members of the NIU at their base. It is alleged that he and his companions opened fire on the police and were killed in the ensuing gunfight.

“I am therefore pleased and encouraged that when these armed criminals arrived at the NIU offices, they were met with operationally ready and tactically alert members who acted decisively when the situation called for them to do so, and when the dust settled, three armed criminals were taken down, and no police officer had lost their lives. Fortunately, only one of our members was grazed by a bullet. He was treated and immediately released from hospital on the same day,” said Masemola.

“It is, however, of concern that two days later, the same NIU member who was targeted at the base on Wednesday was also targeted again while on his way to work. Due to his alertness, skill and experience, the member who was shot at was not injured.

“He fortunately managed to shoot back at the suspect, who was later traced at his hideout. We can confirm that the suspect is under police guard in hospital, where he is receiving treatment for gunshot wounds that were sustained while trying to assassinate the NIU member.

“We will not tolerate attacks on our members who are doing all they can to stop extortion incidents. We continue to urge our members to act decisively when faced with danger. Our members have a duty to protect themselves and the communities that they serve,” he said.

Extortion ‘underreported’

Masemola said extortion was an underreported crime in the Eastern Cape.

“This is indeed worrisome, because for police to ultimately win the war against these extortionists, we are going to require community members to report these incidents by opening cases with the police. We can only conduct a thorough investigation with the assistance of witnesses and victims of crime to put these perpetrators behind bars.”

He said a police hotline in the Eastern Cape had received 38 reports of extortion in its first week.

On Wednesday this week, the SAPS Tactical Response Unit, acting on information that there were illegal firearms in a house in Keiskammahoek, cornered five suspects and killed four after they, according to a police report, tried to shoot their way out. The fifth suspect was wounded and taken to hospital under police guard.

Read more: Police kill four suspected kidnappers in Eastern Cape, Hawks investigating

Transport and Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha said the suspects were kidnappers.

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane said: “SAPS members had responded to a tip-off on the alleged house that is being used for kidnappings. On police arrival in the house, the suspects started shooting, with police responding to the gunfire, leaving four suspects fatally wounded on the scene, with one injured and taken to hospital.”

He said the operation was a “testament to the effectiveness of our law enforcement agencies. I strongly condemn the heinous kidnapping and torture activities that took place at a house in Keiskammahoek. Our law enforcement agencies acted swiftly, and I commend their bravery in responding to the suspects’ gunfire.” DM

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South Africa

Extortion and shootouts in Eastern Cape

Extortion ‘underreported’