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Extortionists halting transport projects to the value of R60 million

STATEMENT BY THE CITY'S MAYORAL COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR URBAN MOBILITY, COUNCILLOR ROB QUINTAS With only two weeks left in the current financial year, the City’s Urban Mobility Directorate must report that due to extortionists up to R58,6 million expenditure is at risk on transport capital projects. At least seven major projects have been halted due to safety concerns on site, ranging from the construction of new public transport infrastructure to road reconstruction and stormwater maintenance, primarily in our most vulnerable communities.

Unfortunately, the brazen attempts from these mafia-style extortionists are only intensifying. They are holding to ransom the City and our contractors, and ultimately, at the expense of service delivery to those who need these services most. It is completely and utterly unconscionable. I condemn in the strongest possible terms, the sophisticated extortionist syndicates alongside the opportunistic thugs who care nothing for the lives of the communities we are trying to serve, nor those of the hard-working teams attempting to complete these projects on the ground. We remain committed to delivering services. Secondly, I want to assure these criminals that the City and its contractors will not bow to their ludicrous attempts to syphon public capital into their own pockets. We naturally have targets for our capital expenditure, and it is disappointing to be forcibly prevented from meeting those targets, but we do not negotiate with extortionists and there is simply no Rand value for human life.Projects that have recently been hamstrung or fully ground to a halt due to threats, intimidation, and tragically, outright murder on site, include the following:<ul><li>Construction of new MyCiTi depots on the corner of Spine Road and Mew Way in Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain</li></ul>This is a massive project, and the facilities will be at the heart of operations for the second phase of the MyCiTi bus service. Interference with multiple contractors and extortion attempts in May have set the project back by at least three weeks with R27,4 million at risk in unspent capital budget.<ul><li>Rehabilitation of Delft Main Road, from Stellenbosch Arterial to Silversands Road in Delft</li></ul>This work is of critical importance for commuter safety along the full stretch of road. The contractor withdrew from the site following the fatal shooting of one of their staff members on 10 May 2023. A portion of the gravel base of the road section has been left exposed in the midst of winter rains. Loss of production to date totals R13,5 million in unspent capital budget.<ul><li>Upgrading of various roads and associated works in Bishop Lavis</li><li>Roads resealing and stormwater repairs project in Delft</li><li>Roads rehabilitation project in Kalksteenfontein</li></ul>Roads in urgent need of maintenance and upgrades, not only in the interest of the safety of all road users, but also to prolong the longevity of the road infrastructure, have been delayed. All three projects have been beset by threats and intimidation, and the associated loss of production amounts to R16,9 million in unspent capital budget.<ul><li>Walter Sisulu / Lindela roundabout in Khayelitsha</li></ul>An important traffic calming intervention needed at a busy, high-risk intersection to improve the safety of all road users has been halted. Threats and extortion attempts have delayed the project by three months with R600 000 at risk.<ul><li>Installation of traffic calming measures and footways, including sidewalk and embayment construction, in Brooklyn</li></ul>These works are intended to enhance pedestrian safety and universal access. The contractor has suffered multiple threats and instances of intimidation of their staff on site. On 17 May 2023 the criminal elements returned to the site, threatened staff, and loaded a plate compactor onto a bakkie. An amount of approximately R195 000 is unspent.The Urban Mobility Directorate prioritises the safety of all road users, and allocates funds for projects to improve mobility and access for pedestrians, public transport users, and motorists. Beyond that, we are committed to helping plug the gaping hole left where a functional passenger rail service used to be. We are also expanding the routes of the MyCiTi bus service to the metro-south east. This second phase of the MyCiTi bus service will provide a safe, scheduled, and reliable public transport option to tens of thousands of residents in Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain needing to commute to Claremont and Wynberg. It is utterly dismaying to see the rampant and relentless criminal interference with projects that are designed to improve and protect the lives of ordinary, honest residents. End

2023-06-12T22:00:00Z

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