Khayelitsha community leaders reject claims of extortion at MyCiTi Spine Road depot

KHAYELITSHA community leaders have accused the City of hiding behind false extortion claims as an attempt to overlook local companies when appointing service providers at the new MyCiTi Spine Road depots. 

The Urban Mobility Directorate confirmed that the City was seeking an urgent interdict against a group of individuals attempting to force out the appointed security services provider and replace them with their own preferred service provider.

The MyCiTi depot on the corner of Spine Road and Mew Way between Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain sits on 15-hectare of land and is expected to house 290 buses initially and more as MyCiTi routes expand. Construction was completed last month. 

Urban Mobility mayco member Rob Quintas said the group on Monday removed the appointed contractor from site and allegedly reiterated threats to disrupt or vandalise the facility unless their preferred security company was appointed. 

He claimed that the group’s demands  include the removal of the legally appointed service provider, Bidvest, to be replaced by Sibakhulu, a company that was subcontracted to provide security services during the construction of the depot. 

He said they further demanded that this company must provide security on an ongoing basis, that only companies in Ward 99 and the broader Khayelitsha area be considered for cleaning and security work at the depot.

The Vehicle Operating Company (VOC) contracted to manage the facility, was responsible for appointing its own subcontractors, including security and cleaning services.

"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. All companies are free to bid for work when opportunities are lawfully advertised. 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. 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," said Quintas. 

Shadrack Mogress from Khayelitsha Security and Cleaning Association (Khasca) said a local company was used during the construction phase but now that it has been completed it was handed over but “they didn't even bother to consult the community”. 

“There’s a lot of reputable companies here, we are not saying take this one, or that one, we will submit a list and they can appoint who they want as long as it's a local company,” he said.

He added that after the tender process was completed, they would accept another company coming in. 

“What we said to them is we are not creating an island out of Khayelitsha, any company suitable for them. Since we are small companies, let those companies come and try to uplift the smaller companies here.”

Ward 99 councillor, Lonwabo Mqina said the community felt they were not being “uplifted and capacited” by the City and had written him an email about the issue, expressing their unhappiness.  

“It doesn't have to be Sibakhulu as long as it is a company coming from Khayelitsha that can work there and local labour. They made mention of two companies. The reason Sibakulu was mentioned was because they were working there during construction. Security and cleaning are not specialised jobs but workers are coming from Kraaifontein.” 

He said referring to community leaders as extortionists was “unfortunate” and “reckless”.

“Labeling people as extortionists whereas in this community we know extortion does exist. To just label anybody, what happens if real extortionists hear a community leader is an extortionist then they shoot them over territory? The mayco member should have given those leaders an audience first to hear their grievances. This is the same community that marched to the City but the City did not respond. They have no toilets and no water.”

Vuyani Duyezweni of the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) said they would reach out to Quintas to request a follow-up meeting at which he and the sub-council manager would be present.

Cape Times