A GANG of alleged extortionists terrorising spaza shops was caught on Friday, with four suspects arrested in connection with the murder of bekende shop owner Umar in Bonteheuwel last week.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) are clamping down on extortionists targeting spaza shop owners for protection money in various communities such as Nyanga, Elsies River, Bonteheuwel and Franschhoek.
And following the death of Somali shop owner Umar, who was shot and killed on 13 July, SAPS spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala announced: “The four suspects, between the ages of 31 and 43, were arrested for extortion and murder.
“They are all affiliated with one local gang.
“The four will make their first court appearance at the Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court on Monday.”
In Bonteheuwel, ward councillor Angus McKenzie joined SAPS and law enforcement officers on an operation at the weekend to find suspects caught on CCTV footage robbing a shop owner at gunpoint, with a female gun runner also filmed.
She is allegedly pretending to be a customer while the male suspect discharges a firearm before handing it to her, and they flee the scene.
McKenzie said: “I confirm that with the help of the police we have arrested a number of individuals in the last 12 hours.
“All 12 will be charged with extortion-related cases.”
The Bonteheuwel incident is one of a vrag to have taken place innie Kaap recently.
On Saturday, a 36-year-old man was shot and wounded while seeking refuge inside a spaza shop in Halt Road, Elsies River. The gunmen fled with R1 500 in cash from the register and packets of chips.
Then in Crossroads dozens of spaza shops have been closed since last week amid allegations of escalating extortion by armed criminal gangs.
Gwala said police are actively searching for a man seen carrying what appears to be an assault rifle in videos that have been circulating online.
Gwala added: “The man is a wanted suspect who had previously evaded arrest. Police are following all available leads in a quest to apprehend him.”
Last week, police were also called out in Franschhoek, where two men were shot and killed and two others wounded at a spaza shop.