The City of Cape Town is set to apply for an interdict against alleged extortionists delaying the MyCiTi project in Mitchells Plain.

The City of Cape Town will approach the Western Cape High Court.

The local authority says there are business groupings who are delaying the MyCiTi bus service construction project along AZ Berman Drive, and the project has been delayed now for over a week, since 28 February.

The Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas, says individuals associated with five ”development and business forums” in the Mitchells Plain area are to blame.

He says they have forced the contractor off site where the City is busy with construction work related to the roll-out of the MyCiTi bus service.

 ‘The contractor had no alternative but to move out of the area given the intimidation and threats to personnel. The group has also vowed to burn machinery should work continue and their demands not being met. We will not tolerate this thuggish behaviour. This is why we will approach the court for relief.’

One of the key MyCiTi bus routes will operate along AZ Berman Drive.

The contract concerns the widening of AZ Berman Drive between the intersections with the R300 and Wespoort Drive to accommodate two dedicated bus lanes along this stretch.

Quintas says the five business forums met with the City last week and made demands about empowerment and the waiver of legislative requirements related to insurance and occupational health and safety.

The City however refused to give in and the very next day a group of people arrived at the site, intimidated the contractor and staff, and brought work to a standstill.

He says the incidents have been reported to the South African Police Service’s organised crime unit who is investigating the matter.

‘These forums must get the message that the City of Cape Town will not participate in their money-making rackets. We are committed to delivering services to these communities and we will do whatever is necessary to fulfill this mandate.’

Extortion rackets have become a major headache for local authorities, not just in Cape Town but also the rest of the country.

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