Hotel owner accuses East London police of bribery, extortion ‘by Nigerians’

By Thapelo Molefe

Allegations of bribery and extortion against members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) have emerged in East London, with a local landlord claiming officers are taking money from Nigerian nationals operating in a notorious stretch of a tavern precinct known as California.

The claims were made by Nomfundo Gqamane, whose husband, Ayanda, owns the Belgrave Hotel, right by California. 

Residents have been calling for the shutdown of California, which they claim has become a hub for criminal activity.

Speaking to media on Friday, Gqamane said repeated attempts to report concerns to police had yielded no action. 

“We went to the police station many times, even to the newly [appointed] station commander, but our complaints fell on deaf ears. Police come here and then return back without doing anything,” she said.

She further alleged that the Nigerians nationals in the area appeared to receive advance warning of