Gangland Extortion | Pay or die | An Annika Larsen Special Report

Gangland Extortion, Pay or Die is an Annika Larsen Special Report exploring the growing link between extortion rackets and a wave of deadly mass shootings. Asking the question “How did extortion become powerful enough to fuel this level of violence?” the film examines South Africa’s vast informal economy – valued in the trillions of rand – where the taxi industry and spaza shops have become targets for criminal syndicates. 

Through conversations with affected community members, Annika reveals how fear, violence and silence keep these rackets in place. Once largely associated with Somali shop owners, extortion is now targeting everyone — including local business owners. Nobody talks. Everyone pays.