Hijackers target Western Cape Social Development in Khayelitsha

In a series of targeted attacks over the past week, three Western Cape Social Development employees have been victims of hijackings and attempted hijackings in Khayelitsha. One staff member, a policy developer in the Child Protection programme, was shot at during an attempted hijacking while conducting a monitoring visit to an NPO on Monday morning. The employee managed to escape and sought refuge at a nearby petrol station.

This is the latest in a series of incidents involving DSD employees in the area. Last week, two separate hijackings took place, one involving a Facilities Management staff member and another involving a social worker. The department recorded 17 incidents during the 2025/26 financial year and has already documented 22 incidents this year. These figures do not include assaults and other attacks on employees.

Western Cape Social Development MEC Wendy Kaizer-Philander expressed her condemnation of the attacks, stating that several staff members and their families have been left traumatized. She emphasized that attacks on DSD staff are an attack on the State and vulnerable clients who rely on their services. The department has implemented new measures to reduce risks for employees working in high-risk areas, including instructing social workers to travel in pairs and avoiding certain areas without police escort.

Identifying information has been removed from government vehicles, and security has been enhanced at some DSD offices and facilities.

Kaizer-Philander has appealed to the public for assistance, urging anyone with information about the attacks to report it to the police. She stated that they are committed to bringing the criminals to justice.