Schools in the Western Cape are facing a worrying rise in extortion threats, with criminals allegedly demanding protection money and threatening damage if schools refuse to pay. The pressure has added to fears around safety on school grounds and the impact on teaching and learning.

A report by the Global Initiative against Transnational Organised Crime found that some schools, especially in Khayelitsha, have been caught up in a broader extortion economy that is spreading through parts of Cape Town. The report says extortion in the province has expanded across multiple sectors, with violence and intimidation used to enforce payments and control.

Schools, Staff and Learners Caught in the Middle

The Western Cape Education Department confirmed that at least seven cases of possible extortion had been reported at schools by December 2024. Officials did not name the schools involved, but the pattern raised alarm because it pointed to organised criminal pressure entering spaces meant to protect children and educators.

The threats have reportedly gone beyond phone calls or messages. In some cases, suspected extortionists were seen outside schools in an effort to intimidate staff and show control over the area. One reported case involved an acting principal who was allegedly threatened after learning that his predecessor had been paying protection fees.

Education Under Pressure From Criminal Networks

The problem is not limited to school buildings. Learner transport has also been affected in the province. In an earlier case, the Western Cape government said taxi association members threatened and harassed contracted drivers in what it described as an attempt to force their way into transport contracts and extort money. The province said this disruption affected up to 2,400 learners at the time.

Police have since said extortion targeting schools and businesses in communities such as Philippi, Nyanga and Khayelitsha is being addressed through a broader law enforcement response. That signals how deeply the issue is now tied to organised crime in affected areas.