The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Organized Crime officers have arrested three suspects, two of whom are believed to be extortion kingpins in the areas of Eshowe and Durban.
During the operation on Friday, 26 September 2025, the Provincial Organized Crime unit officers, working together with Tactical Response Teams from Empangeni and Durban, as well as Durban Central K9 unit, Provincial Criminal Record Centre and Extortion Task Team, executed a warrant of arrest at a residence in Ntumeni area in Eshowe. When police arrived at the residence, they found two security guards and one of them was found in possession a firearm with the serial number filed off. He was duly arrested for being in possession of a prohibited firearm.
Inside the house, police arrested a 42-year-old suspected extortionist. An undisclosed amount of money was found in the house and was seized. Three vehicles, also believed to be the proceeds of crime were seized and the Asset Forfeiture Unit has begun the process of preparation preservation orders.
A simultaneous operation was held in Durban on the same day, which led to the arrest of a 40-year-old man. He was found in possession a licenced firearm and ammunition. The firearm will be subjected to ballistic testing. The suspects are believed to have been extorting money from owners of student’s residences and from businesses, especially those owners by foreign nationals.
The suspects will appear in the Durban Magistrate's Court on Monday, 29 September 2025.