Report any instances of extortion threats aimed at waste collection services in the area, promptly.  That’s the call on residents of Atlantis.

Report extortion threats urgently

The City of Cape Town’s Urban Waste Management Directorate says although waste collection operations in Atlantis are currently functioning without disruption, it strongly denounces any attempts to extort or impede these essential services.

“This is a proactive appeal to the residents of Atlantis to join forces with the City in safeguarding our vital waste collection services,” stated Alderman Grant Twigg, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management.

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He, in addition, referenced the city-wide Anti-Extortion Campaign launched in October 2023, titled “Enough is Enough! Genoeg is Genoeg! Kwanele!”

Proactive appeal to the residents

Twigg added, “There have been reports of individuals attempting to intimidate waste collection staff and our contractors, demanding illicit payments for protection.

Anti-Extortion Initiative

The City says the Anti-Extortion Campaign introduced a 24/7 anti-extortion hotline and dedicated resources to investigate and document extortion-related information for subsequent SAPS inquiries.

Furthermore, “Such behaviour is intolerable, and we rely on the community to report any relevant information regarding such incidents,” Twigg said.

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Alderman Twigg has emphasized the City’s commitment to monitoring waste collection activities in Atlantis and collaborating with security agencies when necessary.

Monitoring waste collection activities

The  Anti-Extortion initiative further strengthened existing collaboration between City investigators and the SAPS anti-extortion unit to ensure prompt responses to extortion threats.