Cape Town - In an open letter to the mayor, city manager and ward councillor, Schaapkraal Ratepayers Association expressed their frustration at the lack of infrastructure and safety concerns while living in the Philippi Horticultural Area (PHA).
The area is overpopulated, with over 20 informal settlements.
Riyad Isaac, chairperson of the Schaapkraal Ratepayers' Association, wrote several letters to ward councillor Elton Jansen, mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and officials at the City of Cape Town.
Isaac said since August he has been engaging with the various role-players regarding concerns over stormwater and drainage, pavements for pedestrians, flooding, CCTV cameras for safety, potholes in roads, fencing along Strandfontein Road, and electricity issues.
He has also raised concerns that the area is being used by criminals running syndicates such as in the drug trade, hijackings, scrap metal and stolen vehicles.
“We hope these issues will be addressed with clear timelines for completion,” he said.
“We request increased police visibility, and regular police raids due to the spike in criminal activities, especially around informal settlements where stolen vehicles have been recovered.
“We propose the City install high-mast CCTV cameras to monitor criminal activity.
“How does the City plan to manage the growing informal settlements, which have expanded significantly over the past five years?
He listed issues that needed attention: “Relocation of toilets to a more appropriate location (informal sector), as they pose a hazard to road users.
“Electricity supply: the RPA (ratepayers' association) supports placing the electricity supply to informal settlements on a separate grid to alleviate the strain caused by illegal connections, which often leaves formal homes without electricity for extended periods.
“Clearing of bushes, due to the increase in criminal activity, including stone-throwing at passing vehicles.”
Isaac said they were suggesting the erection of fencing along Strandfontein Road to prevent criminals from accessing the farming community and from leaving.
Another issue he raised was the gravel resurfacing and pothole repairs to roads, and stormwater issues which he had previously raised with the City.
“Bulk stormwater infrastructure, urgent installation of stormwater infrastructure before winter 2025 is required.
“Road asphalt surfacing, a detailed plan for road tarring with priority given to major roads such as Boundary Road, Vlei Road, Kraal Road, Boom Road, Middle Avenue, and Olieboom Road.
“Raised side walks installation is essential, as pedestrians, including schoolchildren, are forced to walk on the roads, and traffic calming initiatives such as the installation of speed bumps and a raised pedestrian crossing in front of the mosque on Kraal Road.
“Also septic tank clean-outs: we need feedback on the City's commitment to provide six free septic tank clean outs a year.”
The City's mayoral committee member for Water and Sanitation, councillor Zahid Badroodien responded to these points, saying budget and allocation of services “do not happen overnight” and required investigation and planning.
“Regarding the relocation of toilets, the City is investigating this concern and will revert in due course,” he said.
“And on the sewerage and stormwater installations, we have began the installation of wastewater infrastructure during the 23/24 FY and more works are planned during this FY (financial year), 24/25.
“The previous tariff offered six free septic tank clean outs per year; however, in 2019, the City Council amended its tariff schedule to discontinue free services, except for indigent customers. There is no commitment to offer six free septic tank removals per properly since the tariff amendment in 23/24 financial year.
“This change was not implemented for septic tank services until the 2023/24 financial year.
“When the 2024/25 budget was passed, the City introduced a 50% discount on the septic tank tariff.”
JP Smith, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security said their rural unit had executed more 600 visits to farms since July and have had successes, but that the area did not fall into the category for the need for CCTV.
“From a capital spending perspective, the current CCTV rollout plan focuses on the top five priority policing precincts, which are Delft, Kraaifontein, Nyanga, Mfuleni and Mitchells Plain. These precincts were determined through crime and incident statistics from various sources, including City agencies, EMS and SAPS,” he said.
“It must be noted that SAPS remains the primary agency tasked with crime prevention.
“During July 2024, the Rural Safety Unit conducted 637 farm visits, just over 400 proactive patrols and issued 52 fines in terms of the Traffic by-laws.”
Rob Quintas, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility said the Road Infrastructure Management (RIM) department would be liaising with the Recreation and Parks department to look at the median island vegetation to improve visibility and road user safety on the request of bush clearing.
“Erection of Fence Along Strandfontein Road: Strandfontein Road is a major link for public transport,” he said.
“Gravel Resurfacing and Pothole Repairs: the City’ Urban Mobility team has engaged with the community and the local Councillor on this matter and it is ongoing.”
Quintas said on the issues of sewerage and Stormwater Installations, their Urban Mobility team had engaged with the community and councillor.
He said with the road asphalt surfacing, an investigation is ongoing for broader development.
Quintas further added an assessment would be done on the need for side walks and that application had to be made for traffic calming initiatives.
Ward councillor, Elton Jansen said he was committed to working with the community.