Authorities arrested former South African Airways (SAA) board member Yakhe Kwinana, 60, in Midrand, Gauteng, for allegedly orchestrating extortion and taxi violence in East London.
Her arrest on Monday, 17 March 2025, followed an extensive inter-provincial operation targeting criminal networks linked to extortion.
Arrest ends alleged reign of intimidation
Kwinana is facing multiple charges, including extortion, malicious damage to property, and pointing a firearm.
According to police spokesperson Major-General Nonkululeko Phokane, Kwinana is accused of involvement in a series of taxi violence and extortion cases in East London.
She allegedly operated with armed men, using intimidation tactics to extort money from victims and ordering the demolition of their properties.
The suspect is linked to a series of taxi violence and extortion cases in East London.
She allegedly always accompanied armed men while threatening her victims and extorting money from them.
The victims’ properties were also allegedly demolished on the instruction of the suspect.
Acting on intelligence, a multi-disciplinary law enforcement team including the National Intervention Unit (NIU), Gauteng Serious and Violent Crime Investigations (SVCI), Tactical Response Team (TRT), and the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit – executed the arrest in Midrand.
Court appearance
Kwinana appeared in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 18 March 2025, where she faced the extortion and other charges.
Investigators presented more details about her alleged involvement in extortion and other criminal activities.
She will soon be transport to the Eastern Cape to face charges there.
Previous legal troubles
According to eNCA, this is not Kwinana’s first encounter with the law.
In November 2024, authorities arrested Kwinana on charges of fraud and corruption related to the awarding of a R60 million auditing tender at SAA.
According to The Citizen, the charges arose from her failure to disclose past contractual relationships with auditing firms PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Nkonki Incorporated, which jointly received the tender.
During her court appearance, Kwinana claimed financial hardship, stating she survives on a R6,000 monthly pension after being disbarred as a chartered accountant.
Kwinana served on the SAA board from 2009 to 2016 and is remembered for her vetkoek analogy during the State Capture Inquiry.
She was granted R20 000 bail and was scheduled to return to court in January 2025.
National Crackdown on Extortion
Kwinana’s recent arrest is part of a nationwide crackdown on extortion-related crimes.
In 2024, Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu established a special task team to combat gang violence and extortion.
This task force, comprising various law enforcement units, aims to dismantle criminal syndicates operating across South Africa.
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