Police arrest ten suspects in Central Karoo extortion crackdown

POLICE have not ruled out arresting more suspects, having caught 10, in what they have described as ongoing efforts to dismantle extortion syndicates threatening the economy of the Central Karoo region.

Western Cape Organised Crime investigators combined efforts with Central Karoo Flying Squad members and Public Order Policing before descending on a number of premises in Graaff-Reinet where the suspects were arrested on Friday.

The arrests stem from an investigation after a group attended a meeting at a premises at Pastorie Street, Murraysburg, hosted by a wind energy facility construction company on 23 September.

“The group made specific demands and threatened the representative from the construction company with violence. They also threatened to set trucks alight which are transporting wind turbine components to the construction site,” said police spokesperson Christopher Spies.

“On Friday, 31 October 2025, Western Cape Organised Crime investigators combined efforts with Central Karoo Flying Squad members and Public Order Policing descended on a number of premises in Graaff-Reinet where the suspects were arrested. The suspects, three women and seven men aged between 35 and 64 remain in police custody. They are expected to make their first court appearance in the Beaufort West Magistrates’ court on Monday on charges of intimidation and extortion,” said Spies.

He said these arrests form part of ongoing efforts to dismantle extortion syndicates threatening the economy of the region.

“More arrests could be made as the investigation unfolds, he said.

“The group made specific demands and threatened the representative from the construction company with violence. They also threatened to set trucks alight which are transporting wind turbine components to the construction site,” said police spokesperson Christopher Spies.“On Friday, 31 October 2025 Western Cape Organised Crime investigators combined efforts with Central Karoo Flying Squad members and Public Order Policing descended on a number of premises in Graaff-Reinet where the suspects were arrested. The suspects, three women and seven men aged between 35 and 64 remain in police custody. They are expected to make their first court appearance in the Beaufort West Magistrates’ court on Monday on charges of intimidation and extortion,” said Spiece.

He said these arrests form part of ongoing efforts to dismantle extortion syndicates threatening the economy of the region.

“More arrests could be made as the investigation unfolds, he said.

Cape Times