KZN police concerned about rising number of ransom demands from extortionists

DURBAN - KwaZulu-Natal police have raised concerns about the alarming rate of extortionists demanding ransoms from businesses.

This comes after alleged extortionists, linked to a number of murder cases, were shot and killed by police in Durban on Monday.

Police said the group had been terrorising communities to pay them collection fees.

KwaNdengezi is known for notorious crimes like hijackings, murders, rape and gang violence.

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But recently the collection fee started dominating the space. Police said they had been looking into the cases.

They said the six people killed by police in the Durban CBD were also involved in the extortion of local shops.

"What we discovered is commonly happening especially in the west of the province, this collection of money or protection fee, extortion from majority from these tucks shops that you find in the township mostly owned by foreign nationals," said  KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.  

Mkhwanazi said police would continue to probe the incidents.