CAPE TOWN - Gang violence and extortion rackets are disrupting key housing projects, with more than R131 million in damages for last year and this year, the City says.
“In the five years since 2017, the City has spent more than R143m, indicating a surge in these incidents in recent months. This is more than double the amount spent in the two previous years to counter this criminality,” the City said.
Impacted projects the municipality added included Beacon Valley housing project, Backstage 2 Upgrading of Informal Settlement Project (UISP) and Monwabisi Park UISP.
Mayco Member for Human Settlements Malusi Booi said: “The issue of gang violence and alleged extortion experienced at project sites is endemic to contracts in the human settlements sector nationally, as are challenges relating to sabotage, vandalism, theft, land invasion and damage to property.
“We are extremely concerned about the increasing trend in these criminal activities which have stalled or completely blocked projects that are key to the well-being and development of the communities. In addition, some disruptions have been violent and resulted in property damage, injury of persons and, in some cases, loss of life.”
Some proposed solutions included more dedicated work to institute criminal charges with police, the reintroduction of community liaison officers, and greater partnerships with the Safety and Security Directorate, Booi added. A proposed plan for security to be provided to contractors on site is in development but the final aspects of this plan must still be finalised.
Residents can give anonymous tip-offs if they are aware of illegal activity that is taking place, on 112 from a cellphone (toll free) and 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 for emergencies.
Cape Times