Foreign nationals operating small businesses in South Africa are increasingly being targeted by extortion gangs, with Ethiopian and Somali shop owners among those facing persistent threats and demands for money.

The growing problem has highlighted the expanding reach of organised extortion networks in the country, where criminal groups demand regular payments from businesses in exchange for allowing them to operate.

In Cape Town, a South African man and his two sons, one of whom is a police officer, appeared before a magistrate last month over allegations that they extorted about 50 convenience stores operated by Ethiopian nationals.

A Somali national is also among those facing allegations linked to the extortion of foreign-owned businesses.

The cases illustrate the vulnerability of migrant-owned businesses, which have long faced criminal attacks as well as periodic anti-immigrant violence in South Africa.

Nigerian officials have also raised concerns over the safety of their citizens in the country. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, recently said 98 Nigerians had died in mob and hate-related incidents in South Africa since 2022.

He also said 1,695 Nigerians had voluntarily returned home through evacuation efforts during the period.

The latest developments have renewed concerns about the security of foreign nationals and the ability of South African authorities to protect businesses operating in communities where extortion and organised crime are widespread.

Authorities continue to face pressure to dismantle criminal networks involved in extortion while addressing tensions between local communities and immigrant populations.