Three suspects were killed and four others injured in a gunfight with the police in Bothasig, Cape Town, on Wednesday during a high-speed chase.
Western Cape police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said the Provincial Operational Command Centre’s Combat Team received intelligence that seven suspects were fleeing in a minibus taxi after demanding protection money from business owners in Dunoon.
“During a pursuit in Bosmansdam Road, the suspects opened fire at two police vehicles with an assault rifle. Police retaliated and managed to bring the vehicle to a halt on the corners of Bosmansdam and Wylands roads. The assault rifle, a 9mm pistol, an undisclosed amount of cash, as well as the minibus taxi were confiscated.”
The surviving suspects were treated for gunshot wounds and placed under police guard.
It was the second recent incident in which suspected extortionists in a minibus taxi were involved in a shootout with police. Last month, a similar encounter in Milnerton resulted in four suspected extortionists being shot dead and four others injured.
The Milnerton group was allegedly en route to commit a mass shooting, with police recovering five firearms at the scene. The fact that minibus taxis were used in both incidents has fuelled speculation that taxi operators or owners may be involved in extortion.
‘I am hurting’
Bongani Sisu, the owner of the taxi involved in Wednesday’s shootout, said his driver and the driver’s assistant were unaware of the suspects’ criminal activities. According to sources, one of the suspects — who was later killed in the confrontation — asked the driver to transport the group, unaware that they were under police surveillance.
The driver and his assistant are in hospital.
“My driver is a humble man,” said Sisu, speaking over the phone from Eastern Cape.
“He does not even touch alcohol. I am hurt that he got caught up in this mess. I’ve lost my only source of income because of this.
“I am a churchgoer. I got sick immediately when I heard the news. I have been struggling to pay off the taxi because it was impounded many times and I had to spend money for its release. I have really lost much during that shooting incident and I am hurting.”
Extortion in the spotlight
Latest statistics reveal that between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2024, 6,056 extortion cases were reported across South Africa, resulting in 2,389 arrests. Shockingly, only 178 convictions were secured.
Daily Maverick reported last week that legislators are considering revising the legal definition of extortion to make it easier for police to make arrests that lead to more convictions.
Read more: Police and business turn the screws on extortion mafia terrorising all corners of SA
Meanwhile, Eastern Cape police shot and killed two suspected extortionists in Mthatha in a gun battle on Thursday afternoon. DM
Read more: Police kill two alleged extortionists in Mthatha shootout