Court interdict protects Cape Flats MyCiTi works from unlawful interference

The City of Cape Town has obtained a final High Court interdict intended to protect construction on the Cape Flats MyCiTi expansion from extortion, intimidation and unlawful interference.

The City announced on 11 August that the order had been granted on 4 August. It applies to named respondents and other people unlawfully interfering with the IRT Phase 2A project along Govan Mbeki Road in Philippi and elsewhere on the Lansdowne–Wetton corridor.

What the order restrains

According to the City, the order prohibits obstruction or stopping of construction, threats or intimidation against officials, contractors and community members, and unauthorised entry to work areas. The South African Police Service was directed to assist with enforcement.

The City says the wider route expansion is intended to serve more than 1.4 million residents across 30 neighbourhoods between Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Wynberg and Claremont.

Cost of disruption

Between July 2025 and May 2026, the Urban Mobility directorate requested 1,274 security escorts for contractors, representing 8,406 hours of law-enforcement resources, the City reported.

It also listed roadwork disruptions and threats in several areas, including Philippi, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Delft, Samora Machel and parts of the central city.

The interdict is a legal protection for project delivery; it does not by itself resolve every criminal or community-safety risk around construction. Suspected crimes should be reported to law-enforcement authorities through official channels.

What we will track next

The next useful update on Court interdict protects Cape Flats MyCiTi works from unlawful interference should separate emergency access, construction progress and final handover. Contract value, kilometres treated, drainage work, revised dates and independent quality results give a clearer picture than a single percentage.

After opening, performance still needs observation. Pavement edges, culverts, bridge joints, slopes and erosion protection often reveal problems during the first wet season. A named maintenance authority and a baseline condition record make that follow-up possible.