Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

08 June 2026

2-minute read

Across the Western Cape, extortion has become a growing threat facing many communities, with criminal gangs targeting schools, community organizations, businesses and even places of worship like masaajid and churches.

Extortionist gangs come to these places demanding a certain sum of money, and if the person in charge calls the police to report them, the extortionists deny the claim. The police leave once they establish that they cannot prove that these individuals are extortionists, thus putting the institutions at the mercy of the extortionists where they face being burned down or even being killed. Ml Faizel Alexandra, Imam of Masjid-ul-Umar in Mitchell’s Plain, says that the institute being targeted this time was a madrassah where salaah is being performed. Despite a case being opened, the institute was forced to pay the R3000 in extortion fees.

Years back, Ml Faizel was surprised to discover that any shop, small business or organization operating in these townships require the permission of those running the township and are required to pay exorbitant “protection fees.” Fear mongering has become common with people being afraid to speak out against extortionist gangs.

“It’s really getting bad,” were Ml Faizel’s words on the impact on people’s day-to-day lives. Spaza shop owners, informal traders and “even the gogo selling vetkoek” are constantly at risk of having to regularly pay extortion fees.

The army has been deployed to keep things under control, but the effect of their assistance is barely visible in the townships, Ml Faizel states.

While all organizations and businesses are at risk, faith-based organizations are considered a “softer target.” The situation must be “dealt with” he says, and a task team should be deployed alongside the communities for the threat of extortionists to be resolved.

Listen to the full interview with Ml Habib Bobat and Ml Faizel Alexandra here.