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News24
16 hours ago
- Politics
- News24
Ward councillor's legal action spurs probe into complaints of poor service at Maitland SAPS
A lawyer's letter sent to the Western Cape police commissioner by Maitland residents and their ward councillor has prompted an investigation into the alleged poor service at the local police station. Two weeks ago, residents protested outside the Maitland police station demanding that the station commander, his management team and 'nonchalant' staff be removed as crime continues to escalate. They also lobbied for the police station to 'immediately stop' shutting its doors after hours, making it nearly impossible for the community to seek assistance at those times. The police denied that the station was not operational after hours. At the time of the protest on 27 July, ward councillor Cheslyn Steenberg handed over a memorandum to a representative of Western Cape police commissioner Thembisile Patekile with a list of demands, and indicated that a response was needed within 14 days otherwise legal action would follow. In the memorandum, residents expressed concern at the lack of visible policing, inactive crime prevention and uncontrolled crime. The residents said they were living in fear. The 14-day deadline passed without a response from Patekile, prompting Steenberg to send a lawyer's letter to the commissioner, demanding the immediate removal of the current Maitland police station commander, among other things. 'Not only was it very disrespectful of the police commissioner to not even acknowledge receipt of the memorandum, but we have not been given any update [on] what will be done to remedy the concerns we are facing,' said Steenberg. 'We [gave him] seven days to react to this letter or we will see him in court. No time for jokes, our lives matter! Our ward matters and we matter,' said Steenberg. He said it was only when legal action was taken that Patekile responded to residents' concerns. Some of their demands included: The immediate removal of the current Maitland police station commander; A full review of the station's operational performance and a public report back on the measures to improve the station; and Increased visible policing and police accountability. On 13 August, Patekile wrote back to Steenberg, saying: 'This office had undertaken an investigation process for all the allegations. The investigations are still continuing.' However, the police visibility has been increased through deployment of district police task teams,' read Patekile's response. Patekile said the police were engaging with the community policing forum to improve community relations. Western Cape police spokesperson, Brigadier Novela Potelwa, said: 'The concerns raised about the precinct and its policing require further engagement with the affected community's role-players on board.' 'The office of the provincial commissioner recognises the role that various stakeholders play in policing matters. In relation to internal matters, they are currently being attended to as a matter of urgency,' said Potelwa. While residents have welcomed the investigation into the Maitland police station, some have questioned why legal action had to be taken before the South African Police Service (SAPS) intervened. READ | 'Keep the suspect until tomorrow': Residents claim Maitland SAPS shuts up shop at 17:00 'It's quite sad that our ward councillor had to go down this legal route to get some sort of outcome from the commissioner. We just want to feel safe in the area where we live,' said resident Merlin Jacobs. Another resident, Caleb Jansen, asked: 'How will we get crime under control if our police stations are closed to the public after hours? It's insane and a violation of the oath they (police) took to serve and protect their country.' In response, the police said, 'After office hours, most of our police stations implement access control, and Maitland SAPS is no exception.' 'These measures are in place to ensure the safety of our members and should not be interpreted as the closure of a police station,' police said. Steenberg said if Patekile didn't respond to the community's memorandum this week, he would 'see him in court'.
IOL News
18-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
City faces backlash over Ghost Town relocation plans
Residents are opposing the City's plan to expand the Ghost Town informal settlement located next to Maitland Cemetery, set to accommodate an additional 60 families relocating from Salt River. Image: Ian Landsberg The Ken-Fac Residents and Ratepayers Association are vehemently opposing the City of Cape Town's plan to expand the Ghost Town informal settlement at Gate 1 of the Maitland Cemetery, which is apparently set to accommodate an additional 60 families relocating from Salt River. Ward 56 councillor, Cheslyn Steenberg, has since publicly apologised for the decision, saying he did not properly consult with residents. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, together with Steenberg, is set to provide a live broadcast at 7pm today(wed) on Facebook regarding feedback on issues including the Ghost Town informal settlement saga, developments in Kensington and Maitland, and the Wingfield Refugee tent. In response to the opposition by the ratepayers, mayco member for Human Settlements, Carl Pophaim, said an "upgrade" of the informal settlement would be taking place, which would include relocation opportunities. 'The City seeks to undertake a formal upgrade project at what is known as the Ghost Town informal settlement,' he said. 'The settlement has existed for many years in an undignified condition. "Through this upgrade, formalised basic services and alternative building technology homes will be provided on a 1:1 basis. 'Surplus opportunities will be utilised for pressing relocation needs. 'The upgrade project will ensure a safe and well managed settlement taking all substantive comments raised into consideration as well.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Residents are opposing the City's plan to expand the Ghost Town informal settlement located next to Maitland Cemetery, set to accommodate an additional 60 families relocating from Salt River. Image: Ian Landsberg The residents claim there was a failure to consult or obtain consent from affected persons, property owners, and civic organisations. The association said property owners already had to cough-up towards the payment of informal settlements and that not discussing the plans with them was a slap in the face. It is understood the informal settlement, located next to the cemetery, is already home to 30 or so families while the community is also home to refugees and foreign nationals living in the so-called White Tent, located opposite the grave yard. 'Property owners have had absolutely no say yet 14 cents of every R1 in property rates paid to the City finances infrastructure projects with respect to informal settlement upgrades,' they said. 'We are deeply concerned by reports that more than 60 families currently residing in Salt River Bridge are to be relocated to the Gate 1 (Ghost Town) informal settlement site, currently home to over 30 families without any form of public engagement or transparency. "This plan is allegedly being framed as an 'upgrade', yet it does not address or prioritise the dire housing needs of unhoused individuals already within Ward 56. "The Ghost Town informal settlement, situated at Maitland Cemetery (Gate 1) along Voortrekker Road between 4th and 5th Avenues, has grown unchecked. 'The City's unilateral decision to further increase its population exacerbates existing service delivery, infrastructure, and safety concerns in our community.' 'During the Covid-19 pandemic, the City erected a large tent in Voortrekker Road, Wingfield, to house homeless refugees from the CBD. That 'temporary' structure remains, and two additional informal settlements have since emerged around it. 'Similarly, the 18th Avenue informal settlement now accommodates over 300 families, largely of former backyard dwellers from Factreton. "Several other settlements are inhabited by individuals from outside the community and even from outside the province. The unchecked growth of these settlements reflects the City's failure to deliver economic housing to those on its waiting lists,' they said. Their demands include: full transparency from the City; an immediate halt to all relocations into the area until proper community engagement and participatory planning is undertaken; a formal meeting with City leadership; and no informal settlements along the critical arterial Voortrekker Road. Steenberg told the Cape Argus he had commuted with Pophaim's office and apologised for his decision making and promised more transparency. 'I want to acknowledge the concerns and disappointment expressed by members of our community regarding the recent decision to accommodate squatters from Salt River. I understand that this decision was made without proper consultation with our community, and for that, I apologise,' he said.
