Extortion is fast becoming an unacceptable threat to business across the board in South Africa, placing investments at risk, disrupting activities, and driving criminal syndicates to target viable businesses. Counteracting this trend, Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA) has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating extortion as part of its Eyes and Ears (E2) Initiative, an initiative born of collaboration among the private sector and law enforcers.

Roelof Viljoen, Business Development Officer for BACSA, provided this response to ProtectionWeb, detailing the initiative’s impact and the organisation’s efforts to protect companies from criminal blackmail.

The E2 Initiative: An effective crime-fighting tool

Unlike other membership – dependent crime prevention programs, BACSA’s extortion prevention program is not formal membership-dependent. Rather, companies sign up via the E2 Initiative, a nationwide platform aimed at facilitating real-time information sharing among screened private security firms and the South African Police Service (SAPS).

By Viljoen, “The E2 programme currently has 437 screened participants, recorded on our public portal. The programme has also been flagged as one of value by the NatJOINTS National Priority Committee for inducing legal awareness of extortion definition and enabling practical case handling. Early results from SAPS indicate enhanced early reporting and evidence coordination.”

Empowering businesses against extortion

To help businesses identify and prevent extortion attempts, BACSA provides an Extortion Guideline through the E2 portal, along with operational support, industry-specific information sessions, and liaison with provincial priority committees.

“BACSA’s guideline describes how businesses can identify extortion threats, respond appropriately, and report them safely. We also work together with industry organizations to hold training sessions, so that businesses are informed about their rights and available resources,” Viljoen added.

Managing fear of retaliation

Fear of retaliation is a major reason businesses do not want to report extortion. BACSA recognizes the fear and has created the E2 Initiative to provide a secure and protected reporting mechanism.

“One of the most significant difficulties in combating extortion is the fact that victims do not want to report it – more often than not because they are afraid of reprisals or do not trust the justice system. BACSA works with SAPS Provincial Organised Crime Detectives to facilitate a safe and escorted examination of evidence and provide help with case registration. Victims’ identities are protected where possible, and information is dealt with safely,” Viljoen assured.

One of the qualities of E2 is that, once a case has been logged, an assigned local task team – SAPS detectives, municipal police officials, and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) staff

members – may be brought in to develop physical security strategies and augment police patrols in targeted areas.

BACSA recognizes that combat against extortion is possible only through effective coordination between regulators, prosecutors, and law enforcement. Viljoen stressed that BACSA has a facilitating role in achieving harmony among these groups.

“One of the greatest challenges in tackling extortion is ensuring that all actors in the criminal justice system understand their role and are working together. BACSA works in conjunction with the Justice and Crime Prevention Cluster to promote systemic issues and ensure national level responsibility,” he continued.

Cooperation between Private Security and Law Enforcement

Private security firms are a key contributor to the success of E2 because they provide real-time intelligence that increases the situational awareness and response capacity of SAPS.

“With E2, operationally-relevant intelligence is securely fed in real-time to SAPS and its other law enforcement partners. The crime prevention units have controlled access to the intelligence, enabling them to respond more quickly and strategically to extortion incidents,” added Viljoen.

Ensuring a quick and effective response

To facilitate timely response to reported extortion threats, E2 operates 24/7, communicating directly with SAPS Operational Control Centres.

“When a threat is reported, the E2 representatives activate the issue and are actively involved until the issue is resolved. A task team is rapidly assembled, comprising SAPS, municipal police, and NPA representatives. The teams assist businesses in developing safety plans and, where necessary, initiate tactical initiatives such as heightened law enforcement patrols in the area affected,” Viljoen explained.

Rolling out E2 to other sectors

The E2 Initiative started out with the construction and infrastructure sectors, but BACSA is presently extending it to retail, logistics, and SMEs, where companies are increasingly coming under attack by organised crime.

“E2 is engaging in all the major business sectors and growing through collaboration with industry associations and business chambers. We would like to establish it as the core operational interface between private sector businesses and law enforcement for instant crime prevention,” Viljoen said.

Policy engagement and strengthening legal frameworks

Despite the South African legal framework for extorting prosecution being good, there is a challenge for BACSA regarding policy clarity of procurement process still remaining prominent.

“BACSA agrees that our legal system is adequate when properly applied. However, we are calling for more policy transparency, particularly regarding procurement procedures, to prevent loopholes exploited by criminal syndicates. All policy engagements are funneled through the NatJOINTS National Priority Committee to prioritize and optimize resources,” he said.

Proven results: Making an impact on crime prevention

BACSA’s anti-extortion programme has notably seen success in provinces like KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, where task teams specialising in extortion have successfully disrupted criminal syndicates.

BACSA CEO Dr. Graham Wright recently noted the success of the program: “Our programme has been successful in areas where attempts at extortion were shut down by concerted effort with law enforcement. Now is the time for businesses to make best use of this system to protect their operations.”

Call to action: Businesses must take a stand

BACSA urges all targeted companies to move quickly by reporting incidents through the E2 Initiative. With access to SAPS specialist units, the NPA, and local law enforcement, companies can protect their businesses from criminal threats.

No business should feel the threat of extortion alone. With E2, we leverage the resources we need to move in, keep businesses safe, and close off criminal networks before they take root. If you’ve been affected, now’s the time to act,” Viljoen appealed.

To find out more or report an attempted extortion, call e2.bac.org.za or email BACSA at [email protected].