Tensions rise at MyCiTi bus depot as Khayelitsha residents demand local contracts

Ward 99 residents have sparked a major standoff with the City of Cape Town after attempting to halt operations at the new MyCiTi bus depot between Khayelitsha and Mitchell’s Plain.

The clash erupted on Tuesday, December 9, when the group stormed the site, forced contracted security guards off the premises, and allegedly warned that the facility would be vandalised unless the City replaced its appointed security provider with one of their choosing.

The depot, located at the corner of Spine Road and Mew Way, forms part of a multi-million-rand expansion of the MyCiTi service. But residents living nearby say tensions around the project have been simmering for weeks.

According to the City, the group demanded that Bidvest, the legally appointed security contractor, be removed and replaced by Sibakhulu, the company that previously provided security during construction. They also reportedly insisted that only businesses from Ward 99 and nearby areas should receive cleaning and security contracts at the depot.

The City has described the demands as unlawful and a clear attempt to hijack public procurement. It has since sought an urgent court interdict to protect the depot and the tender process.

Law Enforcement officers have been stationed on-site in the meantime, although officials warn this is not a long-term solution. 

Community leader Bonga Madlanga said residents were not extortionists but were demanding proper engagement.

“We approached the City and explained that they cannot start recruitment processes in our area without consulting community leaders,” he said.

“They are undermining the community and not prioritising development for people from disadvantaged areas.”

He added that when residents raised their grievances with the City, they were told to “speed up the process”, which the community interpreted as pressure to remove recently hired security staff.

The City, however, maintains that procurement cannot be influenced by threats or community pressure. It emphasised that temporary construction jobs do not guarantee long-term employment or future contracts.

Mayoral committee member for urban mobility, Rob Quintas, said the city would not be intimidated. “The depot serves more than 1.4 million people and cannot be captured for narrow personal gain. Procurement is governed by law and cannot be rewritten in a community meeting or dictated by intimidation," he said. 

The City warned that vandalism, threats, and interference with municipal operations were criminal offences and urged residents to reject individuals attempting to destabilise essential services.

Mr Madlanga insisted residents were being misrepresented:

“They use the word ‘extortionists’ to condemn us in public, but they know they did not follow the correct process.”