Residents of the Efata Complex near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape are awaiting the outcome of the bail hearing in an extortion case which is expected back in court on Friday.
For these blind and deaf residents, what started as a land invasion next to a piece of land that was donated to them some 30 years ago, has turned into a nightmare.
Residents said they were at the mercy of extortionists who are allegedly demanding a protection fee. Failure to pay could lead to their homes being taken by force.
Police earlier this week confirmed that five people aged between 39 and 57 were arrested on charges of extortion and made their first appearance in the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
One of the victims, 57-year-old Sonwabo Mankuntywana, said they do not want bail to be granted to the suspects.
“We are very happy and on Friday we are going to take to the stage as the complainant. They are very dangerous, we have been living in fear for our lives and losing our homes. We want to tell the court our fear about these people if they release them from jail, because they are the threat. For the first time in a very long time, we have peace in Efata now that they are arrested. We can sleep now,” Mankuntywana said.
Eastern Cape Social Development spokesperson Mzukisi Solani said the department condemned acts of criminality against the vulnerable.
“The MEC of the department, MEC Bukiwe Fanta, always takes a dim view of any act of criminality visited upon the vulnerable sector in our society.
This sector includes children, women, elderly people and persons with disabilities.
“The MEC also calls upon families, the community around people who are vulnerable in our society, to always offer the first line of defence, to make sure these people are protected to the highest level.
“We also want to call this act what it is, an act of criminality. We call upon the law enforcement agency to make sure they deal harshly with any person who misuses and abuses vulnerable people in our society.”
Crime expert Calvin Rafadi said criminals were acting brazenly due to a lack of punishment and the police’s lack of understanding of extortion as a crime.
“For example, when police come to a hijacked building, they tell you ‘pay this caretaker the rental amount because it’s a civil matter, we don't know if this building is hijacked’. So they become mediators, not understanding what extortion is, while the people may be held under duress.
“Many (criminals) don’t get caught. This is how it grows and the criminal acts with impunity,” Rafadi said.
Cape Times