Two men suspected of being extortion kingpins in Eshowe and Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, are set to appear in the Durban Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The suspects are believed to have been extorting money from owners of student residences and from businesses around the area, mainly targeting those owned by foreign nationals.

KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshuinda says one of the suspects was found with an undisclosed sum of money.

“The Provincial Organised Crime unit officers, working together with Tactical Response Teams from Empangeni and Durban, as well as the Durban Central K9 unit, Provincial Criminal Record Centre, and Extortion Task Team, executed a warrant of arrest at a residence in the Ntumeni area in Eshowe. When police arrived at the residence, inside the house, police arrested a 42-year-old suspected extortionist. An undisclosed amount of money was found in the house and was seized along with three vehicles, also believed to be the proceeds of crime.

“A similar operation was held in Durban on the same day, which led to the arrest of a 40-year-old man. He was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The firearm will be subjected to ballistic testing,” Netshuinda explains.

#sapsKZN Provincial Organised Crime officers arrested 3 suspects, incl. 2 alleged extortion kingpins in Eshowe & Durban. Firearms, cash & 3 vehicles (suspected crime proceeds) seized. Suspects to appear in Durban Magistrate’s Court on 29/09. #FightingCrime #GunsOffTheStreets SG… pic.twitter.com/10YwYtheSS

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) September 28, 2025