The City of Cape Town welcomes a final High Court interdict protecting MyCiTi Cape Flats route expansion construction projects from extortion, intimidation and unlawful interference. A final interdict was granted by the court on 4 August 2026, with costs awarded to the City. The order applies to Don Sikhundla, Senzo Ntlaka, the Philippi Business Forum, the Crossroads Business Forum and all other persons unlawfully interfering with the IRT Phase 2A project along Govan Mbeki Road in Philippi and elsewhere along the Lansdowne/Wetton Corridor.

‘The final interdict will provide critical protection to the major new Cape Flats MyCiTi bus route expansion – the country’s biggest public transport project which is set to benefit over 1,4 million residents across 30 neighbourhoods, from Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha, to Wynberg and Claremont.

‘Extortion is a crime. Full stop. When people threaten workers, demand protection money or stop construction, it delays projects and prevents communities from getting the services and infrastructure they need. The finalisation of this court order is a major victory for the City, our contractors and, most importantly, the communities who will benefit from the MyCiTi Cape Flats route expansion as well as other Urban Mobility projects that have been hampered by extortion. We will not allow threats, intimidation or demands for protection money to stop public infrastructure from being built. This court order gives us an important tool to protect our workers, contractors and the delivery of this project,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

The order interdicts and restrains the respondents from interfering with, obstructing or stopping construction works, or from threatening or intimidating City officials, staff, contractors or community members working on the project. It also prohibits unauthorised entry onto the construction site or works area without prior written permission from the City’s project manager or duly authorised representative.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has been directed to assist with enforcement of the interdict. The City encourages anyone with information regarding related criminal conduct to report it to SAPS.

The impact of extortion on infrastructure delivery is significant. Contractors and service providers may decline to work in affected areas, projects can be delayed or stopped, additional security costs are incurred and the City can face difficulty achieving its planned infrastructure expenditure targets.

Other extortion-impacted roads projects

The City’s roads and mobility projects continue to be impacted by extortion threats across high-risk areas, including Samora Machel, Delft, Browns Farm, Philippi, Nyanga and parts of the CBD. In 2025 alone, six road-related extortion incidents were reported to SAPS, while additional disturbances were recorded in areas including Rocklands, Site C in Khayelitsha, Philippi and R Section in Nonqubela.

More recently, on 20 July 2026, roadworks in Mzamo Crescent, Nyanga, were stopped after an unidentified man threatened to burn plant machinery and vehicles as well as shoot anyone who attempted to prevent this. The man also demanded that the contractor pay a protection fee.

Other incidents this year included demands for protection money in Nyanga East and New Cross, while an extortion threat on 4th Avenue in Khayelitsha resulted in work stopping in March.

The pressure on City resources is substantial. Between July 2025 and May 2026, Urban Mobility requested 1 274 security escorts for contractors, resulting in 8 406 hours of Law Enforcement resources being deployed to road construction sites.

The City has implemented a multi-pronged approach to combat extortion, including legal action, increased security, community engagement, anti-corruption measures and partnerships with SAPS and other stakeholders.

The City’s Enough! Genoeg! Kwanele! campaign also encourages anonymous reporting of extortion and intimidation. A toll free tip-offs hotline is available 24-hours a day for residents to report incidents of extortion directly to the City anonymously.

Anonymous 24/7 extortion tip-off hotline:

• Phone 24/7: 0800 00 6992
• Email: SSIMS.SSIUReporting@capetown.gov.za

As a City we are saying Enough! Genoeg! Kwanele!

Demands for protection fees from local extortionists are impeding both basic service delivery and major infrastructure projects. We are determined to prevent disruptions to services by partnering with communities as our eyes and ears to root out local extortionists, and paying out cash rewards for valuable tip-offs leading to arrest and prosecution

‘The City’s message remains clear. Public infrastructure belongs to the people of Cape Town and criminal intimidation will not be allowed to hold service delivery hostage,’ concluded Councillor Rob Quintas.