DA warns of rising extortion targeting Western Cape infrastructure projects
The DA has flagged the alarming rise of extortion targeting key infrastructure projects in the Western Cape, revealing the efforts made by authorities to combat these criminal acts and protect community services.
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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape has issued a grave warning regarding a rising tide of extortion targeting vital provincial infrastructure projects. Over the past two financial years, 11 reported incidents of extortion and attempted extortion have raised alarm bells, impacting projects valued at a staggering R470 million.
The DA said these criminal activities pose not only a financial threat "but also jeopardise the very fabric of service delivery to communities that rely on these essential services".
"In a recent reply to parliamentary queries, the Department of Infrastructure (DoI) disclosed the troubling patterns of these extortion attempts, with the majority occurring in the Cape Metropole. A breakdown of the incidents highlights a concerning geographical concentration: five incidents in Metro East, two in Metro North, one each in Metro Central, Metro West, Cape Winelands, and Witzenberg. These incidents threaten to delay critical development projects, inflate costs, and ultimately deprive communities of the support and facilities they need," the DA said in a statement.
In response to this rising threat, the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure is taking a proactive stance by implementing a comprehensive set of measures to protect contractors, workers, and projects alike. Among the strategies introduced are active risk assessments on sites deemed high-risk, partnerships with law enforcement to bolster security, and the appointment of Social Facilitators aimed at improving engagement with local communities. Additionally, the Department aims to foster transparent local labour practices. In severe cases, it has successfully secured interim interdicts to safeguard contractors from coercive threats.
Dirk Wessels, the DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Infrastructure, voiced his concerns and said: “While criminal extortionists are trying to hold infrastructure development in the province to ransom, the DA-led Western Cape Government is fighting back.”
He lauded the provincial government’s multi-faceted security and community engagement strategy, emphasising its potential to protect both ongoing projects and the individuals involved in them. However, Wessels underscored the necessity for a more vigorous response from the South African Police Service (SAPS) to ensure a conducive environment where these vital projects can progress without fear or intimidation.
“We call on SAPS to step up visible policing to reduce these activities,” he said.