The City’s Urban Waste Management Directorate has raised concerns over the ongoing hijackings and violent attacks targeting its staff and vehicles across the metro, and has strongly condemned such incidents.
According to the directorate, a total of 57 cases were reported between July 2024 and June 2025 financial year, with most cases occurring on the Cape Flats areas and certain parts of the Overberg subregion.
Several critical line departments have reportedly been affected, such as Cleansing, Collections, Disposal and the Public Awareness teams.
In one incident, the City’s anti-litter mascot, Bingo, and his driver were hijacked. Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Grant Twigg, says that of all the incidents reported, only 21 of the hijacked vehicles have been recovered.
“The hijacking of service vehicles is unacceptable, and I want to state in the strongest terms that the City condemns these actions. Our staff are simply trying to do their jobs – keeping our communities clean and healthy. They are public servants, not targets,” added Twigg
Twigg added that the hijackings have not only disrupted waste collection services but have also taken a profound emotional and psychological toll on the frontline staff involved.
In some cases, personnel have had to be admitted to hospital for acute stress, and others have reported symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“We continue to work with law enforcement to safeguard staff, and bring perpetrators to justice.”
The City calls on communities to report any suspicious activity or the whereabouts of perpetrators to the SAPS or the City’s dedicated tip-off line, where information can be relayed 24/7 on 0800 110077.
