Absolutely everyone and anyone who is involved in the murder of our official Wendy Kloppers must face the full might of the law. I welcome the arrest of the suspect and that the court process has been expedited to accelerate justice for our slain colleague.
I, together with many other City departments, continue to do all we can to ensure that our programmes for service and housing delivery continue, despite the intense organised and violent criminality that we are dealing with. As a City, we are leading efforts to make it as difficult as possible for gangs and extortionists to operate in the metro. Those who think the City will be a conduit for organised crime must think again.
When Wendy was murdered at our Delft Symphony Way housing project, we drew a line in the sand and said no more. Enough is Enough. We will not rest until all those responsible for this murder and the kingpins behind it, are brought to book. And we will continue to change our operating systems so as to reduce the risk of extortionists placing our programmes at risk.
The Symphony Way project was suspended following the murder and other violent incidents at the site. We are looking at resuming work as soon as possible this year. The Project Engagement Committee (PEC), and specifically the beneficiary representatives, are being kept abreast and are included in all discussions. The supply chain management process to appoint a new contractor is concluding.
I saw first-hand in the last two months the power of communities standing together when visiting potential beneficiaries at public meetings in Blikkiesdorp, Freedom Farm and Malawi Camp. We are the majority and if we can continue to stand together, we will overcome the efforts of the minority to deter us.
In October 2023, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis launched the city-wide Anti-Extortion Campaign under the slogan Enough is Enough! Genoeg is Genoeg! Kwanele!
As part of the campaign, the City has set up a 24-hour hotline and rewards system as a call-to-action for residents to help the City tackle extortion.
• Phone 24/7: 0800 00 6992
• Email: SSIMS.SSIUReporting@capetown.gov.za
Supplied by: City of Cape Town and Photo by Maxim Hopman on Unsplash
