Dear Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis

Over the last decade, my home has been turned into a public toilet for squatters (mainly addicts) who have illegally set up shacks outside my door. Aside from the horrific smells seeping into my living space, the ongoing waste generated by these people has attracted a rat infestation to all the surrounding homes. It is a significant health hazard, as are the fires that are lit right up against my wall.

The legitimate residents are frequently subjected to shouting, screaming, swearing, physical fights, stabbings, public nudity/ sex acts, open drug/ alcohol abuse and are forced to inhale smoke that comes in through the windows from burning rubbish. These things happen at all hours, often well into the night, including occasional ‘construction’ noises from more structures going up in the middle of the night in an attempt to circumvent the City’s ridiculous 24-hour window period for reporting illegal structures. In my experience, the police turn a blind eye and deter reporting. A police docket for the last shoot-out that occurred in this area disappeared shortly after the case was opened, as the previous ward Councillor can confirm.

This area has been demarcated for social housing over 20 years ago, with little progress made to date. The City of Cape Town, SAPS, and Law Enforcement have wasted unimaginable amounts of taxpayer money on reactive clean-ups and crisis management, rather than proactively using the resources to build social infrastructure. The City must fulfill its mandate to provide social housing in a fair and equitable manner, rather than being undermined by people who neither contribute to nor respect the community. 

There are several problem sites like this around the CBD, Woodstock and Salt River areas, as well as a number of problem buildings which are havens for drug peddling, prostitution and other forms of criminality. Another such notorious site is Maskani near the railway line on PRASA land. These sites have a devastating effect on the surrounding properties and communities in general. The rot spreads rapidly as law-abiding citizens avoid areas that feel unsafe.

In line with this urgent issue, WE ARE DEMANDING AN IMMEDIATE,  COMPREHENSIVE INTERVENTION AGAINST LAND INVASIONS, HOMELESSNESS AND ILLEGAL SQUATTING. 

We demand that the Mayor/ City of Cape Town/ Government:

• Remove the 24-hour window for reporting/ removing illegal structures.
• Start eviction proceedings: Remove squatters to locations with existing infrastructure to avoid reactive spending on waste removal and public disturbance
• Secure sites from future invasions.
• Create more halfway houses for released prisoners, as well as rehabilitation centers for addicts, and therapeutic spaces for the mentally ill.
• Provide concrete timelines for the development of social housing and the aforementioned social support structures.
• Repatriate illegal migrants who are a significant portion of the demographic in these problem settlements and are most vulnerable to exploitation on the streets.
• Launch an investigation into previous years of mismanagement of these ‘problem areas’, with legal action taken against those responsible and those benefiting from the criminal activity.
• Remove the corrupt and incompetent elements from government and municipality, and hire qualified people who are committed to the public good.

We demand that national and provincial government support the City of Cape Town in these endeavors, rather than indulging in the usual finger-pointing and red tape. We, the people, are all tired of political posturing and excuses – it is not winning you any votes. Complacency is complicity, and implies collusion.

This is a call for basic decency, security, and welfare for the residents of Cape Town. We demand a secure living environment and the right to a peaceful existence. Sign the petition now, help reclaim Cape Town from social decay and restore dignity to our neighbourhoods. 

Yours sincerely,

Affected Resident