Cape Town – Authorities have appealed to the Gugulethu community to report the so-called “construction mafia” threatening development projects in the area.
On Wednesday, Infrastructure MEC Tertuis Simmers visited the Luyolo Construction site in Gugulethu, one of three Airport Precinct infill sites including Tambo Village and Gxagxa.
Simmers’s visit follows the stoppage of all construction activities for several weeks as a result of two separate shooting incidents where two workers sustained gunshot wounds.
The project entered its 11th week of shut down and has resulted in loss of work productivity since 17 March, when the second shooting incident took place.
The first incident occurred on February 28 at the Tambo Village site, which resulted in an imposed site closure for a week, to allow necessary investigations to proceed as well as provide trauma counselling to traumatised workers.
Simmers said it was believed the incidents were preceded by acts of intimidation and threats at the sites by certain groups claiming to be representatives of an unknown business forum.
“To date, due to the site closures, the department has incurred financial losses amounting to R8 560 000 and an opportunity to deliver more than 45 housing opportunities,” Simmers said.
“I would like to appeal to the community of greater Gugulethu to come forward and work together with the department and through their nominated steering committee to ensure that this project remains on track.
“To also assist the law enforcement agencies in apprehending these culprits, who seek to derail the progress of these at the detriment of the community who have long made known their need for these houses to be completed and handed over to the deserving beneficiaries.
“This project is intended to benefit the community from the greater Gugulethu who are the elderly, backyard dwellers, people living medically certified disabilities and for that reason we cannot allow anarchy to reign.
“It is unfortunate that, a project that is envisaged to yield 729 housing opportunities, is now at risk of not materialising, as a result of a few individuals,” Simmers said.
The department will continue to engage its stakeholders, contractor and law enforcement agencies as it seeks to find a solution and get construction work under way, he said.
Anyone with information about the incident can anonymously contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or SMS Crime Line on 32211.