A wave of extortion targeting businesses in Witsand, has sparked fear among residents and business owners, with growing calls for urgent action from the police.
The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in Witsand has expressed serious concern over incidents in which criminal groups are allegedly demanding so-called “protection fees” from businesses. According to the organisation, the situation has created a climate of fear, with small businesses and community leaders reporting intimidation. The Atlantis police confirmed a case of extortion was opened earlier this month, after a complainant found a letter in his letter box, demanding a bribe or face the consequences. and opened an extortion case 218/04/2026.
“As a community, we are living in fear. Our business owners are being intimidated, and as community leaders, our own lives are also placed in danger when such criminal activities escalate,” the organisation said in a statement. SANCO has urged affected businesses to formally report cases to SAPS, stressing that proper investigations depend on official complaints. The organisation also acknowledged that the scale of the problem is beyond the capacity of community structures alone and requires decisive law enforcement action. Babalo Mbulwana, SANCO’s chairperson in Witsand, said the issue affects both local and foreign-owned businesses. He confirmed that multiple complaints have been consolidated into a single case, reflecting the coordinated nature of the alleged extortion. “The perpetrators issued written letters to various small businesses, including spaza shops, salons, barbershops, fruit stalls and informal traders, demanding payment of a ‘protection fee’ within a set deadline,” said Mbulwana. He added that the situation escalated violently earlier this month.
“On the 7th of April, two Somali nationals were shot in front of their shop, one fatal. It is believed this attack is linked to non-compliance with those extortion demands,” he said. But this seems not to be the case. “The two shop owners that were shot at is an unrelated incident, and the motive is believe to be a robbery, said Captain Lisa Munro, spokesperson for the Atlantis police.
SANCO is calling for urgent and visible intervention from SAPS, including intensified investigations and the arrest of those responsible. “We want to see swift and decisive intervention. The community cannot continue to live in fear while criminals operate with impunity,” Mbulwana added.
The organisation said in the past there were also efforts by the community to address the issue. In 2024, residents submitted a petition to the Atlantis Police, which led to around 25 extortion-related cases and arrests. However, suspects were later released on bail, and intimidation has since resumed. Similar patterns have been reported elsewhere in South Africa, where small businesses, particularly in township areas, are increasingly targeted by organised groups demanding protection fees, often accompanied by threats of violence or closure. SANCO warned that frustration within the community is growing, but emphasised that any response must remain within the law and in coordination with authorities to avoid further harm
