SAPS deploys special teams to tackle extortion

CAPE TOWN - Extortion is a national crisis and it’s being dealt with at the highest level.

The SAPS top brass has outlined their intervention plans to combat extortion to the Portfolio Committee on Police.

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South Africa’s construction industry is a key driver of economic growth, development and employment.

But it’s seen a rise in extortionist criminal elements, known as construction mafias.

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The Committee heard South Africa is increasingly seeing organised criminal groups emerging and targeting households and the construction sector in general.

ENCA senior reporter Ayesha Ismail filed this report.