Staff Reporter

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party has launched an attack on the Democratic Alliance (DA) over protracted delays on a R500 million housing project in Delft, Cape Town, which has been reportedly hampered by construction extortionists.

During an inspection of the project, EFF member of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Khanya Ceza, voiced his frustration with what he described as inadequate planning and a lack of transparency from the DA-led municipality.

“Infrastructure is not well planned, because you have to have facilities and there are no facilities,” Ceza stated, expressing concern over an unclear breakdown of expenditure for the development.

He also claimed the DA has failed to provide feedback regarding the project’s delays.

The housing project has been stalled since 2023, following disruptions by so-called construction mafias demanding protection money.

Despite receiving new threats earlier this year, the DA re-launched the project.

This dispute comes as extortion and criminal activity continue to plague development in the Western Cape.

The issue was a central point of discussion during a debate on service delivery in the City of Cape Town.

During the debate, Member of Parliament (MP) Bheki Radebe, called for a monitored human settlement plan and highlighted the high crime rates in townships, noting that extortionists are done during the daylight.

“If the army was deployed during the COVID-19 outbreak, then why not now?” Radebe asked, suggesting that the South African Police Service (SAPS) may be overwhelmed and that the army should be deployed to combat the issue.

He said extortion undermines government efforts and called for a commission of inquiry, proposing the issue be declared a state disaster.