CoCT condemns rising incidents of waste management staff being hijacked

The City of Cape Town has condemned the rising trend of waste management staff being hijacked while out on duty. 

Between July 2024 and June 2025, 57 cases of hijackings were reported. 

The crimes were rife in Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Philippi and Browns Farm.

MMC for urban waste management, Grant Twigg, said that in most cases, the crime was committed using firearms.

"So their main target is the bakkies of the city. Obviously, they've also hijacked some cars but the main one is the bakkies of the city and then also the assault on staff members and also their personal belongings."

Twigg added that psychosocial support was being provided to the waste management staff. 

"So when the staff goes out, law enforcement is always aware of where they are and so on. But, unfortunately, it's mostly in informal settlements. So by the time that it happens, the reporting only gets done afterwards."