CoCT offers R250k reward for information on extortion
The City is calling for help from the public in their fight against extortion.
A bird's eye view of the city of Cape Town. Picture: SkyPixels/Wikimedia Commons
Africa Melane speaks to Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith.
Listen to the interview in the audio below.
The City of Cape Town is offering a R250 000 reward for any information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible for extorting staff members.
The City has been battling with the issue of extortion over the last few years.
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Intimidation by the construction mafia is putting multiple projects essential for service delivery at risk.
This extortion has even led to the death of one of their staff members.
Smith says the extortion has become debilitating as the majority of their law enforcement service have to go towards escorts for contractors.
“This is an unsustainable situation.”
- JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security
He says the community members will likely have an idea of who these extortionists are as they are usually from the community they operate in.
Community members can give information through the general tip off line on 080 011 0077, or the extortion line on 080 000 6992.
Smith says that there is a guarantee that an informant’s identity will not be exposed.
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.