The Western Cape High Court has granted a final interdict in the City of Cape Town’s favour to protect the MyCiTi Cape Flats route expansion project from extortion.
The final interdict was granted last week, and it applies to individuals and business groupings (Don Sikhundla, Senzo Ntlaka, the Philippi Business Forum, and the Crossroads Business Forum) accused of unlawfully interfering with the project along Govan Mbeki Road in Philippi and elsewhere along the Lansdowne/Wetton Corridor.
Mobility MMC Rob Quintas says the finalisation of this court order is a major victory for the City, our contractors and, most importantly, the communities who will benefit from the MyCiTi Cape Flats route expansion as well as other Urban Mobility projects that have been hampered by extortion.
“The final interdict will provide critical protection to the major new Cape Flats MyCiTi bus route expansion – the country’s biggest public transport project, which is set to benefit over 1,4 million residents across 30 neighbourhoods, from Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha, to Wynberg and Claremont.”
“Extortion is a crime. Full stop. When people threaten workers, demand protection money or stop construction, it delays projects and prevents communities from getting the services and infrastructure they need. We will not allow threats, intimidation or demands for protection money to stop public infrastructure from being built. This court order gives us an important tool to protect our workers, contractors and the delivery of this project.”
The order interdicts and restrains the respondents from interfering with, obstructing or stopping construction works, or from threatening or intimidating City officials, staff, contractors or community members working on the project.
It also prohibits unauthorised entry onto the construction site or works area without prior written permission from the City’s project manager or duly authorised representative.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has been directed to assist with enforcement of the interdict.
Quintas says the impact of extortion on infrastructure delivery is significant. Contractors and service providers may decline to work in affected areas, projects may be delayed or stopped, additional security costs may be incurred, and the City may face difficulty achieving its planned infrastructure expenditure targets.
The City’s roads and mobility projects continue to be impacted by extortion threats across high-risk areas, including Samora Machel, Delft, Browns Farm, Philippi, Nyanga and parts of the CBD.
In 2025 alone, six road-related extortion incidents were reported to SAPS, while additional disturbances were recorded in areas including Rocklands, Site C in Khayelitsha, Philippi and R Section in Nonqubela.
On 20 July 2026, roadworks in Mzamo Crescent, Nyanga, were stopped after an unidentified man threatened to burn plant machinery and vehicles as well as shoot anyone who attempted to prevent this. The man also demanded that the contractor pay a protection fee.
Other incidents this year included demands for protection money in Nyanga East and New Cross, while an extortion threat on 4th Avenue in Khayelitsha resulted in work stopping in March.
The City recently implemented a multi-pronged approach to combat extortion, including legal action, increased security, community engagement, anti-corruption measures and partnerships with SAPS and other stakeholders.
The City’s Enough! Genoeg! Kwanele! campaign also encourages anonymous reporting of extortion and intimidation. A toll-free tip-off hotline is available 24-hours a day for residents to report incidents of extortion directly to the City anonymously.
Anonymous 24/7 extortion tip-off hotline:
• Phone 24/7: 0800 00 6992
• Email: SSIMS.SSIUReporting@capetown.gov.za
