Western Cape: An alleged extortion scheme, targeting businesses in Milnerton, has led to the arrest of seven members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) attached to the Public Order Police. The arrests, made on Sunday, October 6, followed allegations that the officers extorted money from two shops owned by Chinese nationals.

The provincial commissioner for the Western Cape, Lt Gen (Adv) Thembisile Patekile, condemned the involvement of SAPS officers in criminal activity, emphasising that such actions have no place in the police force. He confirmed that the officers would face the full extent of the SAPS disciplinary process.

According to reports, the officers, accompanied by a civilian suspect, demanded an undisclosed amount of cash from the shop owners, allegedly as protection money. Following the report of the incident, the SAPS Anti-Corruption Unit and Provincial Detectives swiftly mobilised and apprehended the suspects during their duty in Milnerton.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities pursuing additional leads that could result in further arrests.

The seven officers, aged between 24 and 43, are scheduled to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on the aforementioned charges.

Edited: Anchen Coetzee
Submitted by: Col Andrè Traut.