Three construction workers were shot and are now recovering in hospital in what appears to be the latest incident of possible extortion on the City’s housing construction projects.
Also read: Mayor calls for clampdown on extortionists blocking housing projects
The three workers were shot at the construction site in Delft on Saturday, 4 February 2023, by occupants driving a white Toyota Tazz.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has called for law enforcement agencies to clamp down on extortionists blocking City housing construction projects.
In a briefing to the Provincial Parliament’s Standing Committee on Human Settlements on Friday, 27 January 2023, the City reported that 12 of its housing projects are currently impacted by threats of extortion, unlawful occupation or forceful community disruption of housing units, with around 4,500 state-subsidised housing beneficiaries affected.
Threats to contractors and staff have impacted housing projects around the City, including Delft Eindhoven, Valhalla Park, Gugulethu, Bardale 4C in Mfuleni, Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, Sheffield Road in Philippi, and Beacon Valley in Mitchells Plain.
Extortion threats take various forms. Local “business forums” were behind these threats in the case of the Philippi and Mfuleni projects. In other instances, attempts by local subcontractors to muscle in on project work caused disruptions.
Intimidation tactics have become extremely violent in some cases, with four construction staff members shot and incidents of petrol bombing leading to the cancellation of two civil contracts worth R140 million at the City’s Beacon Valley project.
The ACSA Symphony Way housing project in Delft is expected to deliver more than 3,300 state-subsidised housing opportunities to qualifying beneficiaries and their families and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026 if all goes according to plan.
As reported by IOL: During a site visit by the City’s Mayoral Committee Member of Human Settlements, Malusi Booi, Charles George, spokesperson for the Delft CPF warned of the increase in crimes caused by more people coming into the area, with inadequate government facilities and requested the installation of drones and CCTV cameras.
Police spokesperson, Wesley Twigg, said no arrests have been made. Attempted murder cases were opened for investigation.
Also read:
City withdraws workers after crew robbed yet again in Philippi
Picture: The City of Cape Town