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.

- NICOLA DANIELS

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 company.

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.