Squatters in Kraaifontein and Wallacedene will unfortunately have to wait a little longer for their container toilets to be cleaned as the City of Cape Town says its service provider has received extortion threats, since Monday, 11 November 2024.
SUPPLIED: CoCTAffected areas include in Kraaifontein informal
settlements: Area 19, Covid 19, Social Distance and Tygerberg Race Course.
Those residing at the Simanga-Bloekombos and Marikana informal settlements in Wallacedene
are also affected.
According to the municipality, 14 extortion incidents have
been reported in the Water and Sanitation Directorate between April 2023 and
November 2024.
‘’This has resulted in service disruptions in 23 informal
settlements, with cleanliness and maintenance standards compromised in 2 000
container toilets and 230 chemical toilets.All efforts are being made to
address the situation in order for services to resume as soon as it is safe to
do so,’’ said Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and
Sanitation.
‘’The City condemns extortion because it directly impacts
the dignity of our residents, by jeopardising our efforts to deliver basic
sanitation services through collection and cleaning of toilets in informal
settlements. Arrangements have been made to support service providers with
security or law enforcement protection to enable continuity of the essential
service,’’ he added.
Badroodien said to address these ongoing threats, multiple
City departments are working together to find sustainable solutions to prevent
further service disruptions.
The City has also set-up a 24-hour hotline, which allows
residents to anonymously report incidents of intimidation and extortion. To
help authorities put an end to extortion, residents are encouraged to report
any information or tip-offs directly to the City on 0800 00 6992
Done By: Mitchum George
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