A madrasa in Langa, Cape Town, was targeted by an extortionist demanding a R3,000 initiation fee and monthly R500 payments for 'protection', according to allafrica.com. The institution, which operates under Langa Township Projects, provides daily meals, transportation, and schooling for children in the area. A representative of the madrasa stated in a recorded phone call that the institution is not a for-profit business, and a leader said, 'This is God's house. We don't make money. We are praying for you.' When a school representative attempted to arrange a meeting with the extortionist, the extortionist replied that they must 'come to Langa'. A school official reported being given the runaround when trying to file criminal charges.

Extortionists in Cape Town’s townships have created fear among residents, with reports of threats and assaults against those who refuse to pay 'protection fees', according to dailymaverick.co.za and groundup.org.za. In one case, eight people were fatally shot at a shebeen in the Marikana informal settlement in Philippi East on 17 January 2026, with police stating the attack was extortion-linked. Two suspects were arrested and believed to be part of a local extortion group. Shebeen owners who refuse to pay extortion money face lethal violence, according to dailymaverick.co.za. Extortionists have caused informal businesses — including hair salons, vegetable stalls, braaied meat stalls, and furniture and electrical appliance dealers — to close, groundup.org.za reported.