Extortion is obstructing economic growth and job creation in the Western Cape, while simultaneously posing daily threats to residents’ safety and livelihoods.
This grim reality was highlighted by Premier Alan Winde during his latest digital conference on safety, alongside Hubert Paulse, the chairperson of Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA).
Winde lamented that extortion deprives individuals of opportunities and undermines their dignity, emphasising the need for a collective fight against these ‘extortion mafias’.
‘The only way we will eradicate extortion is if we all work together. We cannot fight crime alone,’ Winde stated, as quoted by SAnews.gov.za
Established in 1996, BACSA has played a pivotal role in uniting the private sector with law enforcement agencies, harnessing these partnerships to combat crime effectively.
This week, BACSA participated in the Western Cape Government’s Multi-Sectoral Anti-Extortion Summit, which convened various stakeholders ranging from Members of the Executive Council (MECs) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) to academic experts, all united in addressing the escalating extortion crisis gripping the nation.
Winde described the summit as an essential gathering aimed at aligning government and society to confront what he termed the cancer of extortion that impacts countless residents and businesses.
Paulse echoed the sentiments, addressing the foundation of BACSA as a vital public-private partnership intent on making South Africa safer.
He stated, ‘Our message is simple but powerful. We foster collaboration with all stakeholders to fight crime. When we work together, we do not just reduce crime we restore hope.’
He touched on the transformative impact cooperation can have on boosting business confidence and attracting investment, which ultimately leads to job creation.
Focusing on specific issues related to crime, BACSA runs multiple programmes aimed at tackling extortion, tourism safety, gender-based violence, infrastructure vandalism, and theft. Paulse believes that harnessing technology acts as the ‘eyes and ears’ in crime-fighting efforts, highlighting their ongoing initiative aimed at intelligence-gathering and enhancing awareness and operational responses with SAPS.
In light of criminals adapting to modern technology, Winde stressed the necessity for the government to stay one step ahead. He also praised the vital role of neighbourhood watches (NHWs) and community policing forums (CPFs) in combating crime.
Meanwhile, VOCFM reported Winde confirmed that criminal interference has delayed R400 million worth of public infrastructure projects across the province.
Also read:
Picture: Unsplash
