Five men have been arrested on charges of extortion in connection with an alleged protection racket in a disabled community.
Efata School for the Blind in Mthatha caters for blind and deaf pupils, but a number of disabled adults are part of the school community, too.
Police spokesperson Lt-Col Siphokazi Mawisa confirmed the arrests.
The suspects are alleged to have threatened disabled people to extort protection money from them.
Mawisa added: “They were arrested on July 16 and appeared at the Mthatha magistrate’s court on the same day. The case was postponed to July 23.
"They are still in custody and will appear in court on Friday July 26 for a formal bail application.”
A partially blind person, whose name is being withheld to protect him, told the Dispatch that people living with disabilities had been maltreated for many years.
He said: “We have been ill-treated for the longest time here in Efata.
"However, [demands for a protection fee] started in November."
He said the idea was presented at a meeting by a “community committee” where residents were told they had to pay R200 to be protected from robbers who were terrorising the community.
He said though they were against the proposal, they were afraid to voice their objections.
He said some of them could not afford the money.
“Some of us depend on the disability grant, [some] support their children, buy groceries with it and send the money back home to support [family members].
“We want the government to deploy security in Efata and protect us,” he said.
South African Council for the Blind national executive director Louis Nzimande said: “This specific [alleged] criminal act has not been reported to us before in other places, but it does not mean that it is not happening.
“With regards to supporting the victims emotionally, we are mobilising legal resources to ensure that they get justice.
“We will also engage stakeholders from relevant government departments and the community.
“Already, the prosecutor has a petition opposing bail.
“We are also working with the prosecution to strengthen its efforts to oppose bail.
“We will be in court tomorrow [Friday] for the bail hearing.”
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