South Africa extortion gangs target foreign-owned shops

Extortion gangs in South Africa are increasingly targeting foreign-owned “spaza” shops, particularly those run by Ethiopian and Somali nationals. A recent court case in Cape Town involving a South African man and his two sons, one of whom is a police officer, highlighted this trend. The group is accused of extorting approximately 50 convenience stores in the Stellenbosch region.

Criminal networks typically demand monthly “protection fees” via letters. Failure to comply often results in robberies, customer harassment, or lethal violence. Community leaders note that foreign nationals are frequently targeted because they are perceived as more vulnerable and fearful than local citizens. This extortion economy has expanded to include various sectors, such as construction and nightlife.

These criminal activities coincide with periods of xenophobic unrest, during which many immigrant-run businesses have been looted or destroyed. In July, shootings at spaza shops in the Western Cape, including incidents in Franschhoek and Bonteheuwel, were linked by police to extortion rather than xenophobic violence.