If the lead story in Wednesday's STAR is anything to go by, it seems no one will be be spared from the wretched demands of extortionists.

According to the story, even schoolboys are being 'taxed' and asked to hand over their coins to these men, who simply refuse to find jobs. It is a sad day in our country, when strong, healthy, grown men are taking money from children.

The story further mentioned that if the boys fail to comply with the demands, they are given various tasks to undertake as punishment. The children are sometimes told to run up and down the street or stand in uncomfortable positions for extended periods of time.

It is clear that extortion is fast becoming a major source of trouble in our country and this latest development is a scary indicator of what is to come. These thugs will perhaps soon start 'taxing' churches, as it seems that they will seek money from every potential source.

The police need to address this matter very soon as it is obvious that things are getting out of hand. The forms of punishment may be quite tame now, but we never know what these men might do to the children in the future. Stealing from a child is the height of cruelty as these men are quite fit and able to work and should go and find work.

We are sure that these culprits can be easily caught. All it takes is a simple sting operation.