The Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, welcomes the four arrests made of police officials, reportedly connected to the National Border Control Unit at Cape Town International airport. The officials are believed to have taken part in a robbery on Saturday in Montague Gardens.
Minister Fritz said, “I welcome these arrests as they send a strong message against criminal conduct within the police services. Our officers are duty-bound to serve and protect all residing within our province. We cannot allow the force to be undermined by those who wish to cause harm to or undermine safety in the province.”
Minister Fritz added, “This particular incident left members of Chinese community feeling targeted by criminal elements and concerned about the involvement of police. We have previously seen similar incidents of Chinese businesspeople being kidnapped and held at ransom. We must continue to ensure that measures, such as these arrests, are made as they send a strong message to would be criminals targeting both businesspeople and members of the Chinese community.”
Previously, a syndicate of eight members were arrested including the main kingpin. This related to five kidnappings and one attempted kidnapping of members of the Chinese business community. These incidents occurred during July to November 2020 and could result in more linkages in future. At present, all suspects are in custody and their bail application is on 22 January 2021, where the state will oppose bail.
Minister Fritz added further, “I wish to reassure members of the Chinese and business community that your safety is of the utmost importance to us. We need to encourage and support business in the province if we are to recover our economy. My Departmental officials continue to engage in weekly steering committee meetings on business extortion in the province and I am very pleased with the results and progress made to date.”
Anyone with information on extortion in the province, or who has been approached to pay protection fees can anonymously report this to the police, on the SAPS extortion hotline by calling 021 466 0011.
