Extortion rackets slam brakes on Mitchells Plain MyCiTi
The City of Cape Town is heading to the courts to try and stop extortion rackets hindering the MyCiTi project in Mitchells Plain.
FILE: A MyCiTi bus. Picture: MyCiTi Bus/Facebook
Lester Kiewit speaks with Rob Quintas, Mayco member for Urban Mobility at the City of Cape Town.
Listen to the interview in the audio below.
Extortion rackets and the construction mafia are devastating developments across Cape Town.
One of the latest victims is the MyCiTi project in Mitchells Plain, which has been delayed since 28 February.
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The contractor has been forced off-site due to intimidation and threats by people associated with ‘development and business forums’.
“There are menacing organisations that use the development forum body as a front for extorting their way onto a project.”
- Rob Quintas, Urban Mobility - City of Cape Town
The extortionists are threatening to destroy machinery if their demands are not met.
The City is seeking an interdict from the courts against these threats as it tries to get the project back on track.
It has also opened a case of intimidation and harassment with the South African Police Service.
Quintas says the City is increasing onsite security and will resume operations.
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.