The City of Cape Town secured a final interdict from the Western Cape High Court on August 4, 2026, to protect the MyCiTi Cape Flats route expansion construction projects from extortion, intimidation, and unlawful interference. The court order applies to individuals and groups including Don Sikhundla, Senzo Ntlaka, the Philippi Business Forum, the Crossroads Business Forum, and any others engaging in such activities along the IRT Phase 2A project on Govan Mbeki Road in Philippi and throughout the Lansdowne/Wetton Corridor. Costs associated with the legal proceedings were awarded to the City. The ruling marks a significant step in safeguarding the progress of the infrastructure initiative, which aims to serve 1.4 million residents across 30 neighborhoods. Councillor Rob Quintas, the Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, expressed relief over the court's decision, emphasizing that the interdict provides essential protection for both the city and its contractors. He stated that extortion, defined as demanding protection money, threatening workers, or halting construction, has consistently disrupted the timely delivery of urban mobility projects. According to Quintas, these actions delay projects, hinder access to vital services, and deprive communities of much-needed infrastructure. The court order, he noted, serves as a crucial deterrent against such illegal practices and reinforces the city’s commitment to ensuring public infrastructure is completed safely and efficiently. The interdict explicitly prohibits the named respondents and any others from interfering with, obstructing, or stopping construction work. It also forbids them from threatening or intimidating City officials, staff, contractors, or community members involved in the project. Unauthorized entry into the construction site or works area is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from the City’s project manager or an authorized representative. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has been instructed to assist in enforcing the court order, and the City has urged citizens to report any instances of criminal activity related to the case to SAPS. Quintas highlighted the broader implications of extortion on infrastructure delivery. He explained that such acts lead to contractors refusing to operate in certain areas, project delays, increased security expenditures, and challenges in meeting the city’s planned infrastructure spending goals. The problem extends beyond the current MyCiTi project, affecting multiple urban mobility initiatives. Extortion threats have been reported in high-risk areas such as Samora Machel, Delft, Browns Farm, Philippi, Nyanga, and parts of the Central Business District (CBD). In 2025 alone, six road-related extortion incidents were documented by SAPS, with additional disturbances recorded in locations like Rocklands in Mitchells Plain, Site C in Khayelitsha, and R Section in Nonqubela. Recent examples include an incident on July 20, 2026, in Mzamo Crescent, Nyanga, where an unidentified individual threatened to destroy construction equipment and harm anyone attempting to prevent the work. The person also demanded a protection fee from the contractor. Similar incidents occurred in Nyanga East and New Cross earlier this year, while an extortion threat on 4th Avenue in Khayelitsha led to a halt in construction efforts in March. These cases illustrate the persistent nature of the issue and the urgent need for effective countermeasures. Between July 2025 and May 2026, the City’s Urban Mobility department requested 1,274 security escorts for contractors, leading to the deployment of 8,406 hours of law enforcement resources to construction sites. Quintas acknowledged the strain on city resources but emphasized that the administration has adopted a multifaceted strategy to address the challenge. This includes pursuing legal action, enhancing security measures, engaging with local communities, implementing anti-corruption policies, and collaborating with SAPS and other relevant stakeholders. Additionally, the City launched the “Enough! Genoeg! Kwanele!” campaign to encourage anonymous reporting of extortion activities, aiming to foster greater transparency and accountability.
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