Two City of Cape Town law-enforcement officers are expected to appear in the Cape Town Regional Court on Wednesday to face a range of serious charges including corruption, extortion and business robbery. The pair, who are attached to the City’s Metal Theft Unit, were arrested on Tuesday morning following a months-long investigation into alleged criminal activity targeting small business owners.
According to investigators, the allegations against the officers date back to January and involve a pattern of extortion mainly directed at foreign-owned spaza shops in several Cape Town communities. The officers allegedly entered shops under the pretext of conducting inspections and requested to see asylum or residency documents. However, even when shop owners produced valid documentation, the officers allegedly demanded cash payments to avoid supposed fines or threats of arrest. In some instances, victims reported paying amounts ranging between R5,000 and R6,000 to the officers out of fear of further harassment or possible deportation.
What has intensified concern is that this is not the first time the officers have faced allegations of similar wrongdoing. The pair were reportedly arrested earlier this year on extortion-related charges but were released on bail. Despite that arrest, they continued serving in their positions until the latest incident led to renewed charges and immediate apprehension.
Investigators believe the officers used their official authority to create an atmosphere of intimidation, particularly targeting foreign nationals who may already feel vulnerable within the local regulatory environment. Many of these shop owners rely on their businesses as their sole source of income, making them particularly susceptible to threats or pressure from individuals claiming to represent law enforcement.
The investigation was reportedly initiated after multiple complaints from business owners surfaced, prompting internal oversight bodies to begin monitoring the officers’ activities. Authorities have indicated that undercover operations and corroborated witness statements formed a crucial part of the case, ultimately leading to the arrests.
Beyond the extortion allegations, the officers are also accused of involvement in a business-robbery-related incident. In one case under investigation, a significant quantity of goods was allegedly taken from a victim during what was framed as a law-enforcement operation. The incident is believed to have occurred while the victim was being detained for questioning, raising serious concerns regarding abuse of official powers and misuse of municipal resources.
In response to the arrests, the City of Cape Town confirmed that both officers will be suspended pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings. A spokesperson for the City stated that the municipality is taking the matter seriously and that all due processes are being followed. The City has emphasized that such behaviour, if proven, is entirely inconsistent with the standards expected of its law-enforcement personnel.
The case comes at a time when Cape Town communities have raised growing concerns about corruption among some officers, particularly in areas where informal and small-scale businesses operate. For many foreign-owned spaza shops, law-enforcement visits are routine, but fears of extortion or intimidation have increasingly been reported. Advocacy groups have warned that such trends undermine trust in policing and create hostile environments for lawful business operations.
The upcoming court appearance is expected to shed more light on the charges and the scope of the alleged misconduct. Legal experts say that if the officers are convicted, they could face significant penalties, including imprisonment, dismissal from service and permanent disqualification from holding law-enforcement positions.
For now, affected communities, particularly the foreign-national business owners who came forward, say they hope the case signals a stronger stance against corruption and a renewed commitment to accountability. As the matter proceeds, it is likely to prompt further discussion about oversight mechanisms within the City’s enforcement units and how best to protect vulnerable communities from abuse of power.
