Posted on 08 Oct 2024
Gauteng, South Africa’s economic heartland, is facing a troubling surge in organized extortion. Once sporadic, extortion has now become a pervasive and systemic threat across multiple sectors. This report exposes the depth of this criminal economy and the actors driving it.
In the construction sector, criminal groups—commonly referred to as the “construction mafia”—forcefully demand stakes in major projects, paralyzing critical infrastructure development. The situation is equally dire in township economies, where gangs levy protection fees on businesses, exploiting both formal and informal sectors.
The study also highlights how extortion has infiltrated the water supply chain, with organized criminal groups controlling access and manipulating shortages for profit. Similarly, Gauteng’s transport sector, particularly the taxi industry, has seen violence and extortion escalate, with rival groups fighting for dominance over routes and commuters being caught in the turmoil.
Our report highlights the four main extortion economies in Gauteng—construction, township enterprise, water, and transport—and the factors that have allowed them to thrive. It provides a roadmap for addressing the extortion crisis, offering clear recommendations for dismantling these criminal networks and restoring security to affected communities.
