Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read
04 May 2025 | 11:30 CAT

Police oversee municipal workers loading a bin truck in Cape Town, part of the city’s new R100 million plan to protect staff amid rising attacks in high-risk areas. (Jacques Standers/Gallo Images)

The City of Cape Town plans to deploy over 200 safety escort officers at a projected cost of R100 million to protect municipal staff following a concerning rise in attacks on workers. While the municipality views this as a necessary response to a deteriorating safety environment, experts warn the measure may be treating symptoms rather than addressing root causes.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Criminologist Dr. Simon Howell acknowledges that “in certain instances the operational environment is such that… there is no other way of delivering services without security escorts.” However, he cautions that this is a reactive measure. “Why are City of Cape Town services being attacked in the first place?” he asks. “These are critical issues that need to be dealt with before further security measures are considered.”

Attacks are particularly prevalent in so-called “red zones”—areas marked by economic marginalisation and strained relations with the city. While the term may be controversial, Howell notes, “there are frequent attacks there… severe enough that in some instances, security escorts are warranted.”

Still, there is concern over the cost. “It is a lot of money,” Howell admits. “One wonders whether that much money needs to be spent on this… or whether some of it may be better spent somewhere else.”

The motives behind the attacks range from community resentment to possible organised criminal involvement. “Sometimes it is organised criminal elements, and sometimes it’s the strained community relations… every incident may be different,” Howell explains.

He stresses the need for a deeper reckoning with the city-community relationship, warning that without this, the safety initiative could become yet another unsustainable government experiment. “Governance in South Africa is an experiment in one—trying to figure out what works.”

With public resources stretched thin, this R100 million gamble may either stabilise service delivery or reveal the costly consequences of overlooking the roots of social discontent.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round-Up with Annisa Essack and Dr Simon Howell here.