Slain DA councillor, Sinovuyo Dyokwe, was a victim of extortionists demanding protection money, and she was killed after refusing to continue these payments, a police investigation has found after a suspect was arrested at the weekend.
Dyokwe was gunned down while returning home from participating in voter registration activities in Dunoon in June.
The 37-year-old suspect was nabbed in Parklands on Saturday following an investigation by the Western Cape Serious Violent Crime Investigation (SVCI) detectives.
He is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday on a charge of extortion.
Police spokesperson, André Traut, said: “The 37-year-old suspect was arrested during a joint intelligence-driven operation conducted by Provincial SVCI detectives and the SAPS Special Task Force in Parklands on July 25, 2026, after he had allegedly been evading arrest.
“The arrest follows an intensive investigation during which detectives acted on information received from members of the public regarding the suspect’s whereabouts. The suspect has been positively linked to the murder through the ongoing investigation.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased had allegedly been subjected to extortion and was reportedly forced to pay protection money. It is further alleged that after she refused to continue making these payments, threats were made against her.
“The investigation further revealed that on Friday, June 20, 2026, while returning home after participating in voter registration activities in Dunoon, she was allegedly followed before two armed suspects fatally shot her.”
Traut said more arrests were imminent and that a vehicle and seven cellphones were seized as part of the ongoing investigation.
Acting Provincial Police Commissioner, Major-General Luyanda Damoyi, commended the investigating team and all members involved in the operation.
Just last week, Benedicta van Minnen, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Police Oversight and Community Safety, said that, according to the City of Cape Town, requests for escorts have surged from an average of 275 per month during the 2024/25 financial year to 890 per month in 2025/26, many driven by extortion, hijackings, robberies, and gang-related violence.
Dyokwe’s murder is not isolated when it comes to attacks on political figures in recent months, which saw the murder of City of Cape Town councillor, Lazola Gungxe, who was gunned down in Old Crossroads while attending a community meeting in February.
A 26-year-old suspect was arrested.
Build One South Africa (BOSA) ward candidate, Leon Ngcikwe, and community activist were also shot and killed in Gugulethu in June.
Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC Anroux Marais, called on intelligence teams to hinder the business of extortionists.
“I commend the members of the South African Police Service who worked tirelessly to track down this suspect. Their determination has brought investigators one step closer to ensuring that justice is served for Ms Dyokwe, her family, and the community.
“However, this arrest must mark the beginning of bringing this entire extortion grouping to justice.
“I urge the SAPS to fully utilise all available intelligence capabilities to identify, trace, and arrest every individual linked to this alleged mastermind, and to eradicate these criminal syndicates once and for all.”
DA MP Nicholas Gotsell said Dyokwe’s murder echoed one of many who have fallen due to being victims of extortion.
“If the allegations are proven in court, this case is yet another stark reminder that extortion is no longer just an attack on businesses. It is a direct threat to people’s lives, democracy, and the rule of law,” he said.
“One is reminded of the gogo from Leiden, Delft, who sold chicken to support herself, who was shot dead at her home because she allegedly refused to pay extortionists protection money.”
In Bonteheuwel, ward councillor Angus McKenzie, has been working alongside police and law enforcement officials to root out extortion plaguing their community following the attacks on spaza shop owners.
A Somalian shop owner, known as Umar, was shot and killed two weeks ago in Assegaai Street while serving customers, while another was threatened with a firearm by a gunman who was assisted by a woman.
Four suspects were initially arrested for the robbery and had the charges of murder and extortion withdrawn against them, while the woman, the fifth suspect, is expected to make appearances in court relating to the firearm.
McKenzie said the use of informants and intelligence teams was vital in winning the war against extortion.
“Informants and witnesses play a vital role in securing convictions, and every effort must be made to ensure their safety through the appropriate witness protection programmes,” he said.
