City of Cape Town secures interim interdict to combat construction extortion in Philippi
Image: File
The City of Cape Town has welcomed the decision by the Western Cape High Court to reinstate an interim interdict against extortionists and others who, it claims, are hell-bent on derailing its MyCiTi construction project along Govan Mbeki Road in Philippi.
The interdict is effective until April 21, 2026, when the matter will be argued before the court. Any person threatening officials and contractors at the site or attempting to disrupt or delay the work will be arrested.
The City obtained an interim order against the extortionists on June 3, 2025, after City officials and the contractor's staff received death threats and were verbally intimidated.
Mayoral committee member for urban mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas, said the order was reinstituted after the respondents, among which were the Philippi Business Forum and Crossroads Business Forum, failed to present their answering affidavits to the Western Cape High Court on 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 group to extort business and work opportunities, or to hijack our projects. 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,' Quintas said.
He said those involved in the intimidation, death threats, and other disruptive tactics are well aware of the 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. We will not deviate from it. 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,' Quintas said.
He said over the past weeks, self-proclaimed 'activists' within and other affiliated entities have engaged in intimidation, threats, and blatant misinformation campaigns in their efforts to dictate how and to whom employment opportunities are awarded.
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'Their actions hold serious consequences and pose real threats to public safety and the delivery of essential services,' Quintas said.
'For clarity: All opportunities are allocated according to a rigorous and transparent process, which ensures equal access for all qualifying businesses and job seekers in the project footprint. Attempts to bypass or distort this process are not only unfair to others in the community, but also unlawful,' Quintas reiterated.
He also reminded the broader community that: The interdict does not prevent anyone from participating in the project. It only stops those who are trying to hijack it through threats, violence and sabotage
The City continues to encourage all eligible businesses to submit their profiles via the clearly marked boxes at the Subcouncil Offices.
Those who choose to follow the process fairly will find the City ready and willing to support their participation.
'I call on the public and the media to remain vigilant against misinformation and disinformation. False claims designed to stoke division and derail progress do not serve the interests of the communities who will benefit from the roll-out of the MyCiTi bus service to these areas. Residents are encouraged to contact the City for more information about how to participate and get regular updates on the project,' Quintas said.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
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Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Daily Maverick
Extortionists ‘hell-bent' on derailing MyCiTi bus project, says City of Cape Town
But Crossroads and Philippi business forums deny the city's allegations of intimidation and say they are being sidelined. Extortionists are 'hell-bent on derailing' the MyCiTi bus project along Govan Mbeki Road in Philippi, says the City of Cape Town. The project was launched in 2022. This week, the city welcomed a decision by the Western Cape High Court to extend an interim interdict obtained last month against the Philippi Business Forum and Crossroads Business Forum and two of their members. The interdict against intimidating and threatening officials and workers or entering the site without permission is effective until 21 April 2026, when the matter will be argued in court. The city said contractors had received death threats. According to the city, the forums failed to present their answering affidavits as to why the order should not be made permanent. Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility Rob Quintas said: 'Self-proclaimed 'activists' within the Philippi Business Forum, Crossroads Business Forum and other affiliated entities have engaged in intimidation, threats and blatant misinformation campaigns in their shameless efforts to dictate how and to whom employment opportunities are awarded. '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.' In its statement the city said: 'The interdict does not prevent anyone from participating in the project. It only stops those who are trying to hijack it through threats, violence and sabotage. The city continues to encourage all eligible businesses to submit their profiles via the clearly marked boxes at the subcouncil offices.' Attorney Ashley Leeuw, for the business forums, told GroundUp that the city labelling his clients extortionist (in the media release) was 'damning to their reputation'. 'It is very unfair to our clients,' Leeuw said. 'Due to insufficient time we could not oppose an interim interdict but we filed a motion to oppose,' he said. 'There is no final court interdict against my clients.' He said the interim order had been granted to allow work to continue at the site. 'The allegations set out in the city's court application are denied as false,' he said. He said his clients have no intention of going to the site. 'It is all lies they're spreading that we have intimidated workers at the site,' Thanduxolo Xokoza, Philippi Business Forum secretary, told GroundUp. 'This started last year when the subcouncil invited us to an information service on how we will participate and benefit from the project and that was the last time the city had a meeting with us.' He said small businesses in Philippi had gone to the site on 15 May to seek answers from the community liaison officers. Xokoza said their approach had been peaceful. On 28 May, the businesses had again gone to stop construction until their demands were met. 'The project was halted last week until our businesses are given an opportunity,' said Xokoza. 'We also have companies that are able to do some work at the construction of the project. The community also joined in because they also want to be part of the project. 'We are business people and have a right to be part of the project,' he said. Crossroads Business Forum member Nokuzola Mpimpi said: 'We were surprised to see the work continuing last month and this prompted businesses to rally and go to confront the main contractor at the site.'
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Business Forum ready to fight extortion claims
MyCiTi Image: File THE Philippi Business Forum has distanced itself from the City's claims that it was responsible for derailing the MyCiTi construction project along Govan Mbeki Road in Philippi through extortion. The City recently confirmed having secured an interim interdict against alleged extortionists after officials and the contractor's staff received death threats and were verbally intimidated. The Philippi Business Forum and Crossroads Business Forum were cited as respondents in the application. The City said both failed to present their answering affidavits to the Western Cape High Court concerning why the order should not be made permanent. 'Self-proclaimed 'activists' within the Philippi Business Forum, Crossroads Business Forum and other affiliated entities had engaged in intimidation, threats, and blatant misinformation campaigns in their shameless efforts to dictate how and to whom employment opportunities are awarded. '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. 'Those who have been involved in the intimidation, death threats, and other disruptive tactics are well 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. We will not deviate from it,' said Urban Mobility mayco member Rob Quintas. He said the interdict does not prevent anyone from participating in the project. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'It only stops those who are trying to hijack it through threats, violence and sabotage. The City continues to encourage all eligible businesses to submit their profiles via the clearly marked boxes at the Subcouncil Offices.' Philippi Business Forum member Lonwabo Matshisi denied the allegations. 'It is not true. They (contractors) want to do the work on their own and take the money given by the municipality. They did the same thing during the last project. Everywhere they go, they accuse the SMMEs. We are just looking for an opportunity to grow. We never did what they're claiming. They just took pictures of our cars and formed a story, saying we were involved in extortion. "That's false. Our cars were stopped and searched for guns. There were no guns. We've never stopped any project, we just want them to come and meet with us. We've sent several emails and tried calling them. We asked them (the main contractor) to come and sit with us, to make a presentation. They never came. Meanwhile, we've followed every step we're supposed to take,' Matshisi said. He said they had just recently found out the City received an interdict against them. 'They just made accusations. On Tuesday, we hired an advocate. We never did what they're claiming. They (the contractor) are working on-site. They promised our community jobs but delivered nothing. That's why the community is also upset,' Matshisi said. Attempts to contact the Crossroads Business Forum were unsuccessful. The Building Industry Bargaining Council (BIBC) said the country's construction sector was being 'systematically undermined' by criminal syndicates. The impact has been severe, including forced stoppages and heightened security requirements which have led to significant project delays and cost overruns. 'These criminal networks are not simply disruptive, they're deeply embedded in some areas and operate with increasing sophistication,' said Danie Hattingh, spokesperson for business at the BIBC. The council explained that the 'construction mafia' initially emerged around 2015, 'often misrepresented as attempts at economic transformation. Exploiting clauses in procurement policy, particularly the requirement that 30% of public contracts benefit local communities, these groups claimed to represent local interests'. According to the BIBC, contractors, workers, and even government officials have reported intimidation, assaults, and in some cases, killings. Armed gangs have stormed construction sites demanding a cut of the project (usually 30%, under the false interpretation of local empowerment policies). 'What began as calls for inclusion quickly devolved into extortion and violence. We have seen armed site invasions, demands for 'protection fees,' sabotage of equipment, and even threats to life. These are not empowerment activists. These are criminal syndicates exploiting legitimate policies for personal gain,' Hattingh said. 'The construction mafia exploits every gap. They scare and threaten without facing any punishment or consequences, manipulate the tender process, and operate freely due to legal delays and poor coordination between stakeholders.' Cape Times
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
City of Cape Town secures interim interdict to combat construction extortion in Philippi
The Western Cape High Court granted the order on Tuesday. Image: File The City of Cape Town has welcomed the decision by the Western Cape High Court to reinstate an interim interdict against extortionists and others who, it claims, are hell-bent on derailing its MyCiTi construction project along Govan Mbeki Road in Philippi. The interdict is effective until April 21, 2026, when the matter will be argued before the court. Any person threatening officials and contractors at the site or attempting to disrupt or delay the work will be arrested. The City obtained an interim order against the extortionists on June 3, 2025, after City officials and the contractor's staff received death threats and were verbally intimidated. Mayoral committee member for urban mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas, said the order was reinstituted after the respondents, among which were the Philippi Business Forum and Crossroads Business Forum, failed to present their answering affidavits to the Western Cape High Court on 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 group to extort business and work opportunities, or to hijack our projects. 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,' Quintas said. He said those involved in the intimidation, death threats, and other disruptive tactics are well aware of the 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. We will not deviate from it. 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,' Quintas said. He said over the past weeks, self-proclaimed 'activists' within and other affiliated entities have engaged in intimidation, threats, and blatant misinformation campaigns in their efforts to dictate how and to whom employment opportunities are awarded. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'Their actions hold serious consequences and pose real threats to public safety and the delivery of essential services,' Quintas said. 'For clarity: All opportunities are allocated according to a rigorous and transparent process, which ensures equal access for all qualifying businesses and job seekers in the project footprint. Attempts to bypass or distort this process are not only unfair to others in the community, but also unlawful,' Quintas reiterated. He also reminded the broader community that: The interdict does not prevent anyone from participating in the project. It only stops those who are trying to hijack it through threats, violence and sabotage The City continues to encourage all eligible businesses to submit their profiles via the clearly marked boxes at the Subcouncil Offices. Those who choose to follow the process fairly will find the City ready and willing to support their participation. 'I call on the public and the media to remain vigilant against misinformation and disinformation. False claims designed to stoke division and derail progress do not serve the interests of the communities who will benefit from the roll-out of the MyCiTi bus service to these areas. Residents are encouraged to contact the City for more information about how to participate and get regular updates on the project,' Quintas said. IOL
