LIMPOPO – Limpopo provincial head of communication, Brig Hlulani Mashaba, has issued a stern warning to communities across the Mopani district regarding the rise of a new wave of extortion crimes.

Speaking during a media engagement session held at Giyani Police Station on Thursday, with an aim to forge a good relationship between SAPS and the media, Mashaba urged residents to remain vigilant and not fall victim to these criminal tactics.

“Another emerging threat that is now becoming a reality is extortion. We have observed cases where criminals solicit money from business owners, threatening them and demanding “protection fees” or else they would make their lives difficult.

“I urge the media to help us spread this message to all communities, encouraging them to report these crimes as soon as they occur so that we can apprehend the perpetrators before these trends spread,” said Mashaba. He assured the public that the police were committed to tackling this growing threat and called for collective efforts in combating crime to ensure the safety and security of all community members.

Mashaba also noted the rise in the issue of gender-based violence (GBV) in Mopani and Vhembe districts, saying the police are working on stopping these crimes.

“Mopani, just like the Vhembe district, has a significant issue with GBV. In Mopani, in particular, Giyani is among the areas contributing the most to these crimes, along with Maake, Bolobedu, and several other policing areas in the district,” he said.

Another issue that Mashaba touched on was the rising number of immigrants in the Mopani district, which he said was attributed to a rise in crime. “Given that the Mopani district borders Mozambique, areas stretching from the Kruger National Park’s (KNP) Punda Maria Gate to Phalaborwa, are experiencing high rates of illegal border crossings.

“In Giyani, a well-known fence, commonly referred to as Ten-High, that separates the KNP from our communities, is a common crossing point for Mozambican immigrants that are coming into the country,” he continued, saying this contributes to various crimes in the area.

However, despite setbacks in certain crime categories, Brig Hlulani Mashaba highlighted a positive development in the district’s overall crime trends. He revealed that serious crimes such as murder and rape have shown a noticeable decline. “Statistics have indicated a steady decrease in these crimes over the past two quarters,” he stated.

Mashaba credited this improvement to the dedicated efforts of law enforcement officers, increased community vigilance, and various crime prevention initiatives. He encouraged residents to continue cooperating with the police to sustain this downward trend and ensure that Mopani remains a safe place for all.