Western Cape SAPS Dismantles Extortion Syndicate in Mfuleni, Delft As 5 Killed in Separate Shootings

• The South African Police Service (SAPS) arrested six men in Mfuleni and Delft, believed to be part of an extortion syndicate
• Police confirmed that two of the men arrested were also wanted for another murder case in the Stellenbosch area
• Police are investigating two separate shootings in the Cape area, with several people killed in Mfuleni and Mitchell's Plain
• Michael Jacobs, Community Policing Forum Chairperson of the Lentegeur Policing Precinct, spoke to Briefly News about the crime

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

WESTERN CAPE – The South African Police Service (SAPS) believe they have made a significant breakthrough in dismantling an extortion syndicate in the Western Cape.

Members of the Anti-Economic Crime Task Team and Provincial Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Policing Team arrested six men on 18 September 2025 in the Mfuleni and Delft areas in the province.

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The men were arrested during an operation in the areas following information of a syndicate that was terrorising communities for extortion money.

Firearms and ammunition seized

Police confirmed that six suspects were arrested during the operation, aged between 22 and 31. They were arrested for possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition and possession of drugs.

Police seized an AK-47 with 28 rounds, one R1 round, a 9mm Makarov pistol with 61 rounds, one Beretta Z88 pistol with 15 rounds, one Norinco Star with five rounds, and a 9mm pistol with 23 rounds. 400 mandrax tablets were also confiscated.

Police also confirmed that five of the men arrested were wanted for a double murder case registered at Stellenbosch Police Station. The firearms will also be sent to ballistics for analysis to ascertain if they were used in the commission of any other offences.

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Five killed in two Cape Town shootings

The arrests come hours after two shootings left five dead in the Cape Metro. In a shooting in Mfuleni, two foreign nationals were shot dead in a shop. Police believe the motive behind the murders was linked to extortion.

In another incident, in Mitchell’s Plain, three men were killed in a drive-by shooting in Westridge. Police believe the shooting is gang-related. The murders also came a week after Acting Police Minister, Professor Firoz Cachalia, visited the area.

Speaking exclusively to Briefly News about the minister’s visit, Michael Jacobs, the Community Policing Forum (CPF) Chairperson of the Lentegeur Policing Precinct, said they have seen a little difference.

“Since the minister's visit, we did see an increase in policing resources; however, it is only to destabilise the area.

“We need police stations to be properly resourced and capacitated to deal with the issue of crime in a sustainable manner,” he said.

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He added that they expected the minister to be back within the next week with a plan as to what measures are being put in place to arrest the current crime wave and gun violence.

Other shootings in Mitchell's Plain

Briefly News reported that there have been several shootings in Mitchell's Plain in 2025.

• In June 2025, an e-hailing driver and two passengers were brutally murdered in a shooting in the area.
• The following month, two people were killed and one person was injured in another shooting in Mitchell’s Plain.
• On 25 August 2025, one man was shot dead outside Mitchell's Plain Magistrate's Court and Police Station.

Source: Briefly News