MEC Tertius Simmers said extortion rackets are intimidating and attacking contractors on some of its building sites.
CAPE TOWN - The Western Cape’s Human Settlements Department said that some of its housing projects were being hindered by gangs.
MEC Tertius Simmers said that extortion rackets were intimidating and attacking contractors on some of its building sites. He said that the gangs demanded a protection fee from workers to prevent other gangs from harming or robbing them while on duty."We have seen forms of extortion rings preventing certain sites from going to the next phase. One such is in Gugulethu, which I visited two months ago, which is more than 100 days already were the contracted employee was shot more than once. It happened in this financial year," Simmers said.
Simmers also said that they’ve had to beef up security at these sites, and it was costing the department millions of rand. "We are also seeing attempts at other sites of these extortion rings under the auspice of development forums, which is what they call themselves. Last year, we had to approach the High Court for an interdict to prevent extortion rings under the auspices of development forum from further delays and beef up security," Simmers said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Watch | Mayor’s house torched, Mpumalanga MEC intervenes in strife-torn Steve Tshwete Municipality | CitypressMpumalanga Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Mandla Ndlovu and the mayor of the province’s Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, Mhlonishwa Masilela, are in a crisis meeting this morning following the torching of the latter’s house over
Read more »
Limpopo Health MEC faces incarceration for contempt of court over employees’ salaries | CitypressLimpopo Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba could face a jail sentence or pay a fine for contempt of court if she does not give a satisfactory answer to the Labour Court as to why her department ignored a court judgment to increase employees’ salaries.
Read more »
Western Cape’s Mobility MEC pleads with motorists to obey the speed limitThe Western Cape’s Mobility MEC, Daylin Mitchell has urged motorists to obey the speed limit.The call comes after traffic officers recorded 271 speeding offences across the province within a space of a week.
Read more »
EC Premier Mabuyane reshuffles his cabinet, announces 3 new MECsAmong those who will be occupying new positions are Zolile Williams who moves to Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Bukiwe Fanta who becomes Social Development MEC, and Ntombovuyo Nkopane who is the new MEC for public works and infrastructure.
Read more »
ANC stalwart Maape goes head-to-head with ex-MEC Maloyi for North West chairperson position | News24The nomination for the North West top five positions concluded without incident, cutting down the number of those vying for the chairperson position from seven to only two. | JKwritingz
Read more »