Extortionists have threatened a company contracted by the City of Cape Town to deliver essential services to informal settlements, demanding a R30,000 protection fee, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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In a ‘polite’ letter, the extortionists stated they were keen to work with Sanitech, the service provider responsible for servicing chemical toilets, ‘as a team so that everything can go well.’
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News24 reports that the extortionists eventually forced Sanitech to stop working in the Kosovo informal settlement in Philippi.
The service provider received a handwritten letter, demanding a payment of R30 000 as ‘protection money.’
In the letter, seen by News24, the extortionists write:
‘Dear Sanitec, I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing this letter requesting a protection fee, I would like us to work as a team so that everything can go well.’
‘The money that we are requesting for is R30 000 monthly.’
‘Can you please get back to me as soon as possible. Thank you so much for your time.’
A Sanitech driver was intercepted and handed the letter demanding the protection fee.
Sanitech, committed to directly investing in community development, chose to decline the extortion request.
However, the threats intensified, and on August 4, the service provider’s supervisor was contacted once more with a stern demand for payment.
When the supervisor refused, the extortionists clarified that no trucks or workers would be permitted to operate in the area unless the payment was made.
This escalation led the City to intervene by providing security escorts for the workers in the affected area.
The City’s mayoral committee member for water and sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, confirmed details of the incident.
Badroodien further revealed that Sanitech had suspended its services in the area and was currently negotiating with the City for additional security escorts.
‘The addition of Kosovo to the list of areas requiring security escorts has placed additional financial strain on the department.’
‘The budget does not currently accommodate the cost of these escorts. We are reliant on the support of law enforcement when they are available.’
‘As a result, the frequency of service in all escorted areas, including Kosovo, has been reduced from four times a week to twice a week to free up the necessary funds to support this activity,’ he said.
Badroodien noted that reduced toilet servicing would lead to them filling up more quickly, forcing residents to find alternatives, which poses safety and health risks, especially at night.
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Picture: Sanitech / Facebook
