Cape Town official threatened, project relaunched despite 'construction mafia' intimidation

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11-03-2025
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News24
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• Cape Town Mayco Member Carl Pophaim says he was threatened after relaunching the Delft housing project, halted in 2023 after the murder of City employee Wendy Kloppers.
• Alleged 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield and others are on trial for Kloppers' murder, highlighting the deep criminal influence over housing projects.
• The City has allocated additional funds for security, bringing the project's cost to more than R500 million, with Pophaim vowing not to be intimidated.

Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements Carl Pophaim has become the latest target of the so-called construction mafia after receiving threats warning him against relaunching the ACSA Symphony Way Housing Project in Delft.

The project, meant to deliver more than 3 000 homes for Delft residents, was halted in 2023 following threats from extortionists and the murder of City employee Wendy Kloppers. 

Kloppers was shot and killed on 16 February 2023 at the corner of Magalies and Mandara streets in Delft's N2 Gateway area.

Her murder is currently before the Cape Town Magistrate's Court, where alleged 28s gang boss Ralph Stanfield, his wife, Nicole Johnson, former Cape Town housing mayoral committee member for housing Malusi Booi, and others stand accused of direct or indirect involvement in the killing. Booi has maintained his innocence. 

Despite the dangers, Pophaim officially relaunched the project on Monday, reaffirming the City's commitment to delivering homes to vulnerable communities, including Blikkiesdorp, an 18-year-old informal settlement housing an estimated 10 000 people in corrugated iron shacks.

Pophaim said at the event: 

I was threatened that I mustn't be here today.

"I was threatened that this project must be cancelled a month or two ago. I was threatened that I would be killed if we continued building here."

While he declined to share further details, Pophaim confirmed that Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and relevant authorities were aware of the threats and that investigations were under way. 

He remained resolute, stating: "I am not scared that I will be removed, fired, or taken out. We are going to make sure that the commitment this government has made is fulfilled."

Given the project's high risk, the City has appointed a specialised security company to safeguard construction workers and ensure its completion.

Originally budgeted at R400 million, the costs have now ballooned to more than half a billion rand due to security expenses and previous delays. The first phase is expected to be completed within 24 months.

Hill-Lewis told News24 he was deeply concerned about the threats against Pophaim and the growing dangers of delivering services to poor communities.

"These are not petty criminals; these are well-organised gangs," he said. 

"I reiterate what I've said previously: we need much more focus and attention on this issue from SAPS Crime Intelligence."

Despite the challenges, he assured that every effort would be made to protect the site and allow construction to proceed.

The City has announced that the road leading to the new development will be named after Wendy Kloppers in her honour.