The police shootout in which four suspected extortionists were slain and another three injured in Bothasig, on Wednesday last week, has left the community shaken.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut said an SAPS combat team had received a tip-off about a group of men travelling in a minibus taxi who were believed to be extorting money from shop owners in Dunoon, but when police arrived in Dunoon, the suspects fled and police went after them, Colonel Traut said.
Along Bosmansdam Road, the suspects opened fire at police who shot back until the minibus stopped on the corner of Bosmansdam and Wylands roads, said Colonel Traut.
“The injured suspects are being treated in hospital under police guard. Detectives are pursuing leads to prepare the charges against the suspects for their imminent court appearances. The identities of the suspects are yet to be determined,” he added.
A 9mm pistol, an assault rifle, an undisclosed amount of cash and the taxi were confiscated, and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate was investigating the shooting, he said, adding that no police officers had been harmed.
Carmell Whittles, of Edgemead, said she had heard the shots just after 2pm.
“I paid it no mind and thought it might be a movie the kids were watching, but then when I heard it a second time, I realised it was shots coming from down the road. I looked over the wall and saw police standing with massive guns. It was like they were shooting a movie. Are we safe?”
A Joe Slovo community activist, who did not want to be named fearing victimisation, told Tabletalk that many businesses in the community were being “held captive” by extortionists.
He introduced Tabletalk to a shop owner who had allegedly been held at gunpoint last Monday, for R600 protection fees, but the foreign national denied that it had happened.
However, as we were leaving, another man came out from behind a metal gate and said, “My brother is too afraid to speak to you, but this did happen,” before walking away.
Milnerton police did not respond to emails and calls about the extortion claims by time of publication.
Extortion cases can be reported to the Western Cape police, toll free, at 0800 31 44 44.
