Local businesses are also targeted by extortion
A woman who recently opened a tuckshop in the community where she grew up said she was unprepared for the intimidation facing small-business owners after a 15-year-old allegedly offered to sell her a firearm for protection before attempting to extort her.
Her experience comes as three spaza shops in Bonteheuwel were targeted in violent attacks allegedly linked to extortion over the past two weeks. One person was killed and another seriously injured.
The owner, who asked not to be named because she feared for her safety, said she had seen increased reports about attacks on spaza shops but did not expect to encounter similar threats so soon after opening.
“In the past few weeks, we have experienced quite a bit. I didn’t expect it to be so hectic,” she said.
