Toilet cleaning services halted after alleged extortionists target Cape Town communities

CAPE TOWN - A community leader in Cape Town's Wallacedene has told Eyewitness News that residents are living in fear after it emerged that the so-called extortion mafia is operating in the Kraaifontein area now.

Earlier this week, alleged extortionists halted toilet cleaning services in Wallacedene and Kraaifontein.

The City of Cape Town said its contractors meant to clean 300 container toilets at various informal settlements were asked to pay a protection fee or stop working.

READ: SAPS launches hotline to crack down on extortion cases 

A Wallacedene community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the issue of extortion is new in the area and people are scared.

"People are scared to speak about these things, and as a community we are frustrated. Even if you go around and try to talk to the people in the area, you find out that some people keep quiet and not comment on anything."

The City of Cape Town's MMC for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, said he's anticipating toilet cleaning services to resume on Monday, when more money for law enforcement escorts is secured.

"The city undertakes all efforts to try and ensure a smooth and reliable service delivery, but we cannot allow the lives and safety of our staff members, and that of our contractors to be put in harm’s way as a result of these extortion threats,"  said Badroodien.