Crime in South Africa | Police say extortion is underreported

MTHATHA – Police Chief Fannie Masemola says they are fighting heartless extortionists.

He visited Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, an area plagued by construction mafia and protection rackets.

The visit follows an attack on a base by a special police team.

Agents stopped them and killed three of the men who stormed the base.

WATCH: Crime in South Africa | Discussion | How can extortion be stopped?

Two days later, a suspect who had targeted a member of the team was arrested.

But the residents are also affected.

Extortion crimes spread rapidly in what was once considered one of the safest towns in the Eastern Cape.

Many businesses were forced to close, schools and even patients and workers in healthcare facilities were targeted.

• Ronald Masinda of eNCA reports.