A clean, safe Muizenberg

Dear Mayor Patricia de Lille, Mayco Member JP Smith and Ward Councillor Aimee Kuhl,

Muizenberg Community Safety Initiative (MCSI), the Muizenberg Neighbourhood Watch, was dismayed to read in February 2017 that according to JP Smith, Mayco Member for Safety, Security and Social Services in Cape Town, only FIVE complaints about homelessness in Muizenberg were recorded by the City since December [People’s Post Tuesday 14 February article entitled “Homelessness no day at the beach”]. This does not reflect the levels of concern that Muizenberg is experiencing. We are uncertain whether the low number is accounted for by faulty reporting or because people are unsure where to address their complaints - but either way we decided to take on the challenge of setting the record straight.

The number of vagrants and day strollers in Muizenberg has been allowed to escalate to a point where it is having a very negative impact on personal safety, hygiene, business and tourism – never mind the concern about basic human rights being met. The situation gives criminals an ideal cover to step up their operations in the area. Much of this is being allowed on, or outside, Council property. While many community organisations are actively seeking solutions and lobbying for change, the fact is that we NEED City resources to be made available to help us deal with this situation effectively for all concerned - to assist in finding a long-term solution to the problem. The standard knee-jerk reaction is to remove the homeless, vagrants, criminals, etc. from the area but, in reality, where will they go? Into neighbouring areas, who will promptly chase them back. Far better to find a solution together, then to constantly shirk responsibility.

It is for this reason that the petition was started: to raise awareness within the City of Cape Town – and to indicate the willingness of Muizenberg to stand together to make a difference.

We are calling on the City of Cape Town to:

1. Look after council-owned land and buildings in Muizenberg - like The Battle of Muizenberg site and the Atlantic Road Electricity Department - with the same diligence that is expected of ratepayers: by maintaining the property, securing the perimeter, and taking steps to remove trespassers who try to take up residence on or around the property.


2. Urgently assist Muizenberg with key Social Development solutions - we need solid alternative placements for our homeless that have no other options as a starting point to tackling this issue


3. Step up Law Enforcement efforts - whether you live in a house or live on the street, the City's bylaws must still apply and be enforced

The petition that we started reflects the following statistics:

• 13,435 Global Signatures


• 2,746 of whom are South Africans


• 905 live in the greater Cape Town area


• 150 live in Muizenberg and are directly affected

NOTE: The large number of signatures globally is an indication of the fact that Muizenberg attracts a huge number of visitors, which is also clear from some of these comments.

“Slacktivism” is sometimes viewed with skepticism, however we feel that the comments left by some of the Muizenbergers that signed this petition make very compelling reading on what we are facing here.

We trust that you will review this information, and realise that there is a genuine problem, that we have an opportunity to address, together with your assistance, before it spirals out of control: prevention is always better (and cheaper) than cure.

For more information you can contact Trevor Snyders, Chair of MCSI on 081 425 0683 or chair@mcsi.org.za.

We look forward to engaging with you in the very near future.

Regards,

MCSI Committee