The City of Cape Town has suspended waste collection services in parts of Kraaifontein and Wallacedene after receiving threats from an extortion group.
Story Summary:
- Waste management services in Kraaifontein and Wallacedene have been suspended after extortionists demanded protection fees from the City’s service provider.
- The suspension affects thousands of residents relying on sanitation services, including container and chemical toilets.
- The City of Cape Town is working to resume services safely while urging residents to report extortion through its 24-hour hotline.
Kraaifontein extortion ring targets City waste management trucks
A letter addressed to the City’s service provider read:
“We as protection guys, we want your truck to pay protection fees here in Kraaifontein, otherwise your truck will not work again here in Kraaifontein. Thank you.”
In response, the City halted the cleaning and collection of approximately 300 container toilets across informal settlements.
This decision was made to protect the safety of service providers and staff operating in the area.
The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has strongly condemned the extortion attempt, emphasising its detrimental impact on vulnerable communities dependent on basic sanitation services.
“Extortion directly impacts the dignity of our residents by jeopardising our efforts to deliver basic sanitation services,” said Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.
Since April 2023, the City has recorded 14 extortion-related incidents, resulting in disrupted waste management services in 23 informal settlements.
Areas affected by the cleaning service stay-away
The service suspension has affected the following informal settlements:
- Kraaifontein: Area 19, Covid 19, Social Distance, and Tygerberg Race Course
- Wallacedene: Simanga-Bloekombos and Marikana
This interruption impacts thousands of residents who rely on container and chemical toilets for sanitation, exacerbating health risks in communities with limited access to clean water and proper waste disposal.
To address the rising extortion incidents, the City has coordinated efforts across multiple departments to ensure the safety of service providers.
Security and law enforcement support are being deployed to enable the resumption of services.
Additionally, residents are urged to report incidents of extortion and intimidation anonymously through the City’s 24-hour tip-off hotline:
- Phone: 0800 00 6992
- Email: [email protected]
