Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has made a public call for information that would lead to the arrest of extortionists, threatening City of Cape Town staff in the Kosovo informal settlement and broader Philippi East area.
Hill-Lewis yesterday joined waste removal staff to show solidarity and thank them for their efforts to sustain basic services in this area, amid violent threats and extortion attempts affecting refuse collection.
Law enforcement staff have been escorting City frontline delivery staff to ensure services continue in the area.
Contractors servicing shipping containers have been prevented from operating in the Kosovo area with demands of protection fees by local extortionists. Vehicles have also been damaged.
In Samora Machel/Brown’s Farm, a contractor has been unable to service the area for most of April given the extent of safety threats.
Hill-Lewis has thanked the frontline staff for their bravery and perseverance.
Constant threats of violence has led to the need for law enforcement protection just to keep services going for residents. We can put these extortionists behind bars with the help of the community. I am calling on Philippi East residents, and anyone with information, to come forward so that we can arrest those blocking services for residents.
He says waste management services have been severely disrupted in Philippi East in recent weeks, with local extortionists demanding payment amid violent threats to staff and contractors.
Services resumed thanks to law enforcement escorts helping to protect staff going about their area cleaning business.
But the Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management Grant Twigg says this is not sustainable.
The public and SAPS must work with us to arrest extortionists and ensure consequences for this heinous criminality that disrupts basic service delivery for the poorest residents.
The City will soon launch a Facility Protection Unit, which will also provide escorts for staff where needed.
A reward of up to R5 000 has been made available for information leading to arrests of anyone targeting City staff with extortion and violence across the metro.
Hill-Lewis says a special investigator has also been appointed within the City’s Safety and Security Directorate who will pursue cases where information may lead to arrests and convictions.
Anonymous tip-offs can be made by calling this number: 0800 1100 77
