Cape Town - The reconstruction of the Central railway line in Bonteheuwel has been halted until the security system has been beefed up at the station following reports of extortion yesterday.
The work in the Central line between Cape Town and Netreg station in Kalksteenfontein started in July.
The decision to pause the progress was taken on Tuesday morning at a meeting between Prasa officials, SAPS and the local council to address an incident in which a contractor was intimidated and told to leave the site, allegedly by gang members.
Prasa spokesperson Zino Mihi, said: "Extortion at our sites has been ongoing and it won't be tolerated. There's been similar incidents since July and Prasa continues to engage with the relevant stakeholders and a further communication will be made once decisions have been finalised."
SAPS is investigating an inquiry case and police spokesperson Captain FC Fredericks said: "SAPS Bishop Lavis opened an inquiry regarding the intimidation yesterday as the contractor didn't want to open a case. Investigations continues.”
Local councillor, Angus McKenzie, accepted the decision to halt the portion of the R2 billion upgrade, for safety reasons and not to "appease gangsters and extortionists.”
"Over the next few hours a detailed updated security plan will be put in place, this plan will then be agreed upon by all, including SAPS, and work will restart later this week.
"We will not be held to ransom by gangsters, neither will we allow gangsters to assume control of our projects and communities. This is not how we will operate and this is most certainly not what will be accepted. The Central Line will be rebuilt, unemployed will be employed and opportunities will become accessible and nothing and no one will stop this," said McKenzie.