SAPS must hunt killers of City official at Delft housing project, City ups reward to R100 000
17 February 2023
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has condemned the murder of a City official on site at the Delft Symphony Way housing project yesterday, 16 February 2023. The Mayor was speaking from the housing project site on Friday morning where he was joined by Councillor Malusi Booi, Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements. Prior to the fatal shooting on Thursday, the same housing project was targeted by shootings and a petrol bombing just the previous week. Read more below:
‘We urge the South African Police Service to do whatever it takes to hunt down and find the perpetrators responsible for this violence. We are also increasing our reward to R100 000 for information leading to the successful prosecution of those responsible for the murder of this City official. I have been in contact with the family of our deceased staff member to convey our deepest condolences. We feel devastated as an organisation today, and have a clear message for the public, the Delft community, and the future beneficiaries of this housing project: help us find the killers, and help us protect this housing project so that it is not derailed. We will not be intimidated by selfish thugs - we have a mission to deliver much-needed housing to our poorest communities that really need it,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.
The motive for the shooting is unclear, but is part of a trend of violence directed at the housing project. The investigation is in the hands of the SAPS, but the City’s SSIU is assisting.
‘This is a R500 million housing project for 3 300 beneficiaries, some of the most vulnerable in the metro including from Blikkiesdorp. The site is temporarily being closed for safety reasons and for the SAPS investigation and the City will be considering the next steps to get the project up and running again. The City will continue to pursue our six-point plan to help reduce the incidents of violence, criminality, and extortion at our housing projects which is threatening some R1 billion in projects. We are absolutely heart-broken at these latest events in Delft. Besides the R100 000 reward for info to successfully prosecute the killers of our staff member, in general, we are also offering rewards of R5 000 for info leading to arrests of anyone targeting City housing projects with extortion and violence across the metro,’ said Councillor Booi.
The six-point plan includes:
• Working closer with the SAPS and calling on the NPA to step up efforts to help bring these criminals to book.
• Enhancing security at the projects and increased monitoring.
• More cases being investigated by SAPS across the metro.
• Offering a R5 000 reward in general for information leading to arrests of those targeting housing projects with extortion or violence. Members of the community may give anonymous tips and it is absolutely vital that our communities stand with the City and law enforcement authorities. The reward amount may be upped according to City protocols where so deemed.
• Greater City law enforcement resources to help protect projects and teams working on the ground.
• Call to action to communities to support the City.
Anonymous tip-offs welcomed
Call: 0800 1100 77
For other instances of intimidation and thuggery at City construction sites, a R5 000 reward in general is payable to any person who provides information that leads to an arrest or the successful confiscation or recovery of stolen goods or contraband. The amount may be increased as per City protocol if so deemed.
• Residents can report crime and by-law offences anonymously, 24-hours a day, on 0800 1100 77.
• All information is welcomed, but a reward can only be paid if the City's policing resources achieve an operational result that directly relates to information received, like (an) arrest/s, confiscation of contraband or illegal firearms, recovery of stolen goods, rescue of a kidnapped victim, etc.
• Tips received by the dedicated tip-off line are relayed to the relevant City agency.
• Once they have made an arrest/confiscation, etc. they will submit the application for consideration by the Rewards for Information Committee. We do have to caution the public that it could take several weeks or months after the arrest or confiscation is made for the reward to be paid out, once all relevant administrative processes have been completed.
• The system is NOT open to people under the age of 18.
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
