CAPE TOWN – The City of Cape Town is seeking an urgent court interdict to protect its newly constructed MyCiTi bus depots from a group of alleged extortionists through threats and intimidation.
The confrontation centres on the R1.2-billion transport facility located at the corner of Spine Road and Mew Way, strategically positioned between Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain to serve over 1.4 million residents across more than 30 communities.
On Monday, 24 November, the group forcibly removed the legitimately appointed security personnel from the site and reiterated threats to disrupt or vandalise the facility unless their preferred security company was installed instead of the legally contracted provider, Bidvest.
The latest incident follows what officials described as an “ambushed meeting” with City representatives on 20 November, during which community members issued direct threats should their demands not be met.
The group’s demands include the immediate removal of Bidvest as the security service provider and its replacement with Sibakhulu, a company that provided security services during the depot’s construction phase. They further insisted that only companies from Ward 99 and the broader Khayelitsha area be considered for ongoing cleaning and security contracts at the facility.
The City has opened criminal cases with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and deployed Law Enforcement officers to stabilise the situation. However, officials warn that this deployment cannot continue indefinitely without affecting other priority areas.
City officials said that the Vehicle Operating Company (VOC) contracted to manage the facility is responsible for appointing its own subcontractors, including security and cleaning services, in accordance with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
“Temporary construction-phase work opportunities do not confer automatic rights to long-term security or operational contracts,” the City stated in its official response.
Councillor Rob Quintas, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, delivered a stern warning against the attempted interference.
“This facility is a public asset, built to serve over 1.4 million residents across more than 30 communities. It cannot be captured by any group for narrow personal gain,” Quintas said.
“Procurement processes are founded on law and fairness and cannot be rewritten in a community meeting or dictated by threats. The City will defend this depot and the integrity of our systems through every legal means available.”
The City has made it clear that any threats of vandalism, intimidation, or disruption of municipal services constitute criminal offenses and will be prosecuted accordingly.
“Attempts at unlawful interference for narrow local interests are an attack on the entire community and will be met with the full force of the law,” Quintas warned.
The matter is expected to come before the courts in the coming days as the City seeks immediate legal protection for the facility and its operations.
You must be logged in to post a comment.