MEC MACIE CALLS ON COMMUNITIES AND BUSINESSES TO REPORT EXTORTION AND PROTECTION FEE DEMANDS
Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Mr Jackie Macie, has called on businesses and communities to report any persons demanding "protection fees" so that perpetrators can be brought to book.
Speaking during a Stakeholder Engagement in Steenbok, Nkomazi Local Municipality, on Thursday, 6 August 2026, the MEC said those involved in extortion are mainly targeting businesses working on projects aimed at enhancing service delivery and infrastructure in communities.
He added that unscrupulous individuals are also allegedly collecting money from tuck shops owned by predominantly foreign nationals. This tendency also target women selling vegetables at informal markets to support their families.
"One of the reasons extortionists are not apprehended is because these incidents are not reported," the MEC said. "Our people must not live in fear because of these extortionists. You must report to the police or to the Office of the MEC. No person must pay any protection fees. Communities must protect projects that are meant to improve and advance their own lives."
The engagement forms part of a three-day Executive Council outreach programme taking place in Nkomazi Local Municipality since Wednesday, 5 August 2026.
Stakeholders in attendance included the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the South African Police Service (SAPS), Department of Correctional Service (DCS), Mpumalanga Economic Regulator (MER), Department of Justice, Border Management Authority (BMA), and the Lebombo Taxi Association.
The MEC further appealed to officials of the Department of Home Affairs to act patriotically and refrain from issuing fraudulent documents to undocumented foreign nationals. He said such acts of corruption not only damage the country’s economy but also pose a threat to national security.
The issue of land invasion was also raised. Inkosi Lugedlane we Sibili warned individuals who were illegally selling stands to people to desist from this act as it interferes from planned developments. The Inkosi undertook to provide the MEC with a list of all open cases of land invasion in the area.
Other concerns raised by the community included livestock theft, car hijacking, human trafficking and drug-related crimes.
To combat vehicle theft along the N4 corridor, the MEC announced that the Department will deploy vehicles fitted with Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. He explained that the vehicles will also assist in dealing with moving traffic violations.
On livestock theft, the MEC said livestock owners must work together and that there are ongoing efforts between South Africa, Mozambique and Eswatini to address livestock theft and cross-border movement of stolen animals.
The MEC also raised concern about inmates in correctional facilities who continue to conduct criminal acts, including the killing of people who do not comply with their orders.
He cited the example of an inmate who was transferred from Barberton Correctional Facility to a facility in Limpopo Province, but is reportedly still able to communicate and coordinate criminal activities.
According to the MEC, the matter has been escalated to the Ministry of Correctional Services for urgent intervention.
He urged communities to actively participate in the fight against crime and to report criminal activities to the police.
ENDS...
Issued by the Mpumalanga Department Community Safety, Security and Liaison.