Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has called for law enforcement agencies to clampdown on extortionists blocking City of Cape Town housing construction projects, including one in Sir Lowry’s Pass Village.
In a briefing to Provincial Parliament’s Standing Committee on Human Settlements on Friday (27 January), the City reported that all 12 of its housing projects are currently impacted by threats of extortion, unlawful occupation or forceful community disruption of housing units, with around 4 500 state-subsidised housing beneficiaries affected.
“We are calling on the police, contractors, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the general public to help us ensure there are consequences for extortionists disrupting progress at City housing projects,” said Hill-Lewis.
Housing projects around the City, including Sir Lowry’s Pass Village have been impacted. The community threats pertaining to ongoing work or housing units, and invasion attempts have been the main disruption in the case of projects such as that of Rusthof in Strand.
- To report incidents, call 112 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.
