Phumlani Vokovi, an actor, artist manager, and small-business owner, was shot dead last week as he closed up his hawker stall in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. His wife, Nichume Vokovi, was also shot dead at their home by the same killers. According to friends, Vokovi had a stand-off with a group of extortionists over the monthly "protection fee" he paid for his stall, which sold tripe for R20 a plate.
Friends of Vokovi suspect that his refusal to pay the required protection fee led to his murder. They also fear that speaking publicly about the incident could put them in danger. "People are talking, but there is no-one who wants to come out in the open," said a friend who wished to remain anonymous. The friend added that people in the area are struggling to make ends meet and are being exploited by extortionists.
The Vokovi family's murder has sparked concerns about the prevalence of extortion in Cape Town. A 34-year-old woman from Steenberg said that protection fees have become routine in her neighborhood, with tenants in her yard contributing to a collective fund to pay the extortionists. She stated that her yard's residents had to devise a system to ensure the money was ready when collectors arrived.
Extortion is not limited to township businesses, with 42 construction or infrastructure projects in Cape Town worth almost R1.5bn affected by extortion or intimidation over the past five financial years. Western Cape police commissioner Lt-Gen Sizakhele Dyantyi reported 109 extortion cases across the province between April and June 2026, with 52 cases involving protection rackets and 38 cases involving financial extortion.
The Western Cape police oversight and community safety MEC, Anroux Marais, stated that extortion syndicates are not only stealing money but also stealing opportunities, which hampers job-creation efforts. A national priority committee on extortion has been established to coordinate the response to the crime, and a national extortion hotline has been set up to allow people to report extortion anonymously.
In response to the Vokovi case, Western Cape police spokesperson Capt FC van Wyk said two counts of murder were being investigated, but no arrests have been made yet. The police are urging anyone with information to come forward. The family of the victims has asked for time to grieve and has declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
The incident has highlighted the need for greater action against extortion syndicates in South Africa.
Key points
- The couple's murder is believed to be linked to a dispute over a 'protection fee' for their street stall.
- Extortion is a widespread problem in Cape Town, with many businesses and residents affected.
- A national priority committee on extortion has been established to coordinate the response to the crime.
