Interdict against extortionists threatening Philippi MyCiti project

The Western Cape High Court has reinstated the interim interdict against extortionists and others who are threatening the MyCiTi construction project along Govan Mbeki Road in Philippi.

According to the City of Cape Town’s Urban Mobility Directorate, the interdict took effect on Tuesday and will stay in place until 21 April 2026, when the matter will be argued before the court.

The court interdict states that any person threatening officials and contractors at the site, or attempting to disrupt or delay the work, will be arrested.

This move follows violent protests that erupted in the areas last week. According to the City, last week’s protests started on Monday, 23 June 2025, but became violent shortly after 17h30 on Tuesday, 24 June 2025.

Residents from the Ramaphosa informal settlement reportedly protested near the construction site along Goven Mbeki Road, demanding community and business inclusion in the project. The protest action led to a Golden Arrow bus being petrol bombed, and the site contractor’s staff received death threats and were verbally intimidated.

Nyanga police have since opened a case of malicious damage to property for further investigation. No arrests have been made yet.

This order was reinstated after the respondents, which include the Philippi Business Forum and Crossroads Business Forum, failed to present their answering affidavits to the Western Cape High Court as to why the order should not be made permanent.

“I welcome this decision, and am relieved that the officials and contractor can continue their work at this site. The City will not give in to attempts by any individual or grouping to extort business and work opportunities, or to hijack our projects,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, councillor Rob Quintas

Quintas added that there are lawful and transparent processes available to local businesses and residents from the affected wards to apply for the available opportunities that form part of this construction project.

The councillor added that those who have been involved in the intimidation, death threats, and other disruptive tactics are aware of these processes as they have been briefed at numerous public information days and during other engagements.

“There is only one way to benefit from the available opportunities at any City project – and that is by following the legal and transparent route. This route ensures equal access to all,” added Quintas

In a statement, Quintas said self-proclaimed ‘activists’ within the Philippi Business Forum, Crossroads Business Forum, and other affiliated entities have, over the past few weeks, engaged in intimidation, threats, and blatant misinformation campaigns in their efforts to dictate how and to whom employment opportunities are awarded.

“I have only one message to these business forums and other individuals who are known to us: We will not tolerate criminality and extortion, neither will we bend over backwards to accommodate those who do.”