Popular food delivery service Woolworths Dash has withdrawn from Hout Bay in Cape Town after extortion threats.
‘Monitor the situation’
The company said their priority was to keep their drivers safe – understandably so – and hoped to resume deliveries ‘soon’.
“Woolworths made the difficult decision to suspend the Dash same day delivery service in Hout Bay due to ongoing concerns around driver extortion and security. The safety of our drivers is our top priority.
“We continue to monitor the situation, and our team is liaising with local authorities about resolving the issues.
“Hout Bay shoppers are encouraged to use our scheduled delivery service in the interim, and we hope to re-introduce Dash to Hout Bay soon.”
In addition, Checkers Sixty60 has allegedly also suspended delivery in the seaside suburb for the time being.
Crime hotspots
Hout Bay has been an escalating hotspot for crime as the Hangberg suburb and Imizamo Yethu informal settlement continue to spread.
Sporting events like the Cape Town Cycle Tour and Two Oceans Marathon have been adversely affected in the past.
According to IOL, Hout Bay councillor Roberto Quintas said the much publicised extortion racket in Hout Bay emanating from various groups allegedly based in Imizamo Yethu, and which seem to include the local taxi and community development forum, is wreaking havoc on the operations of some facilities in Imizamo Yethu and certain transport operators.
“I was approached by Woolworths management recently to query the safety of their delivery services and assure them of no recent reports of delivery extortion and informed them that there is a dedicated visible City Law Enforcement patrolling Hout Bay 24/7.”
Meanwhile, in other recent Hout Bay news, in a double blow to the culinary scene in Cape Town, Hout Bay restaurant Cheyne’s has closed its doors.
In addition, its Asian Street Food Restaurant, Lucky Bao, has also shut.
Do you feel safe exploring Hout Bay?
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