Services suspended in Cape Town following alleged extortion

The City of Cape Town says it is concerned by the recent threats of attacks and alleged extortion on its employees as it has suspended refuse collection services. 

Gugulethu is the latest area of Cape Town where the City unfortunately had to withdraw refuse collection staff due to threats of attack unless the City pays protection fees. 

REFUSE COLLECTION SUSPENDED IN PARTS OF CAPE TOWN 

According to the City of Cape Town, the growing trend of criminals demanding protection money from the municipality has compelled it to temporarily withdraw collection services from the community as a precautionary measure.

On Tuesday morning collections teams in Gugulethu reported that they were being followed by vehicles of armed men.

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Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Alderman Grant Twigg said the City’s Urban Waste Management (UWM) Directorate urgently calls on the South African Police Service to investigate and to take urgent action against the perpetrators of these schemes. 

“Criminals cannot be allowed to hijack service delivery in this way. The City’s Urban Waste Management is exploring various ways to restore services as soon as possible including continuing to work with the Safety and Security Directorate,” he said. 

The City of Cape Town has called on residents to refrain from dumping uncollected waste, and to watch the media (including the City’s social media channels) for further updates about clearing existing backlogs in the area, or possible adjusted waste collection schedules.

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OTHER AFFECTED AREAS 

Other affected areas are Philippi East/Lower Crossroads and Nyanga. In addition, a flare up of gang violence in Manenberg has led to temporary withdrawal of services until the area is calm again. 

In addition services have been temporarily withdrawn in Manenberg due to a flare up of gang violence in the area. Any backlog that develops will be cleared as soon as UWM is advised that the area is again safe to operate.