Latest news with #mayco
IOL News
21-07-2025
- IOL News
Spotlight on streetlights remains as 12 000 repaired in June
In line with the energy efficiency strategy, the City is expanding its LED streetlight replacement programme with a R160m injection over the next three years. Over 31 days from May 26 to June 25, City energy teams fixed close to 12 000 streetlights from a total of 35 900 energy-related requests. 'Vandalism, theft and illegal connections across the metro continue to impact turnaround times as damaged infrastructure often needs to be entirely replaced, which could take many hours or even days in some cases," said mayco member for Energy, Xanthea Limberg "We have various interventions to reduce the risk of these crimes, but as always, we need the help of our residents to report suspicious activity of their neighbourhood power infrastructure.
IOL News
18-07-2025
- General
- IOL News
Race Classification Board Memorial restored: A step towards healing and reflection
The City's Community, Arts and Culture Development Department has completed the restoration of the Race Classification Board Memorial outside the High Court Annex building with the original artist, Dr Roderick Sauls. The two benches mimic apartheid-era public benches inscribed "Whites Only" and "Non-Whites Only" include text from the notorious Population Registration Act, which defined the characteristic of different racial groups, often in arbitrary and humiliating ways. "By confronting this difficult history, we create opportunities for reflection, understanding and collective growth. Memorials serve as tangible reminders of the past, facilitating remembrance, healing, and reconciliation. The memorial offers a space for fostering a shared understanding of the past and promoting national identity and unity," said Francine Higham, mayco member for Community Services and Health.
IOL News
17-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Transforming Pretoria West: How the City of Tshwane plans to reclaim properties for economic growth
The City of Tshwane team led by Mayor Nasiphi Moya targets illegal tenants in Pretoria West for urban renewal. Image: Supplied/City of Tshwane The City of Tshwane plans to lease reclaimed buildings in Pretoria West to legitimate businesses following the eviction of tenants with unpaid bills in a bid to stimulate economic growth and promote spatial justice before the Tshwane Investment Summit in September 2025. The move follows the City's recent issuance of eviction notices to illegal tenants occupying municipal buildings in the area, who owe over R26 million in unpaid rent for 12 properties and 35 stands. Visiting one of the properties that had been illegally occupied for years, Mayor Nasiphi Moya said the City envisions Pretoria West as a thriving manufacturing hub. She noted that the building had been occupied by these individuals for years without the City collecting rent. 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 ✕ 'We have not been getting money for electricity and water and our people have not been using it to build their businesses,' she said. Kholofelo Morodi, mayco member for Corporate and Shared Services, said the city's Bad Buildings Committee has included the Pretoria West Precinct in the urban renewal strategy and investment readiness initiative to reclaim hijacked buildings. The urban renewal strategy seeks to revitalise neglected areas, safeguard municipal assets, and establish zones ready for economic development. Morodi described the high-impact operation in the Pretoria West Precinct as a success, underscoring the city's commitment to urban renewal, protecting assets, and investment readiness. 'This city-owned precinct had been unlawfully occupied by individuals without valid lease agreements or documentation. In addition to structural neglect and non-payment for services, authorities uncovered a network of illegal electricity connections — posing severe fire hazards and threatening to overload the grid, with implications for citywide energy stability and public safety,' she said. She explained that the operation forms part of the committee's mandate to systematically reclaim and reintegrate hijacked, misused, and unsafe assets into formal urban development frameworks. 'Pretoria West Precinct is one of many strategic properties the city will be securing and restoring to operational dignity. These buildings are not abandoned — they are being repositioned to fuel inclusive growth, job creation, and spatial justice ahead of the Tshwane Investment Summit in September 2025,' she said. She said the operation was carried out lawfully and peacefully, with coordination among key departments, including group property management, group legal, the city manager's office, and the Tshwane Metro Police Department, among others. Morodi said: 'The Pretoria West Precinct now forms part of Tshwane's broader Urban Renewal Strategy — a transformative blueprint to activate neglected urban spaces, safeguard municipal assets, and prepare spade-ready zones for catalytic development.' She vowed that the city will continue to step up multi-faceted operations across all seven regions, reclaiming hijacked infrastructure and transforming it into secure, functional, and economically thriving areas for everyone. In a recent operation, the city targeted a property housing over 20 shacks, where tenants were paying R1,500 to R2,000 per room. The city also issued bylaw contravention notices for two properties and had previously fined a nearby scrap yard dealership for constructing a wall that exceeded height limits without approval.
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.
IOL News
09-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
City faces backlash over Lansdowne mixed-use development
City of Cape Town faces backlash over mixed-use development approva Residents of the Lansdowne-Crawford community express strong opposition to a newly approved mixed-use development, citing concerns over traffic, noise, and the impact on their residential area. Image: supplied The Lansdowne-Crawford community is strongly opposing a mixed-use development on Rokeby and Lawson Roads, arguing it clashes with the residential area and will cause major traffic, noise, and spatial issues. They have expressed their dissatisfaction with its approval by the City of Cape Town despite their appeals. In an open letter addressed to Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, the ward councillor, mayco member for Spatial Planning and Environment Eddie Andrews, and the developers and architects involved, the residents cited that the size, height, and the proposed business development, namely a supermarket and residential units, would cause traffic and noise congestion. The site has since gone through the process of clearance by heavy-duty construction trucks in preparation for the development. Despite objections, including a town planner's report citing zoning issues, their appeals failed. The Lansford ( Lansdowne and Crawford) Ratepayers Association, via the appointment of their own town planning experts, lodged an eight page objection with the City. They are now questioning the City's approval, why the entrance is on Rokeby instead of Jan Smuts Drive, and whether residents' concerns are ignored in favor of developers profits. 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 ✕ The City maintains the application followed due process and access from Rokeby Road was deemed necessary. The development is set to take place on a vacant piece of land where five separate properties are situated, which belongs to Argento Properties, who previously said they would not comment, while another request for comment has been made. The City said in their response to the approval of the development that the residents' appeal was taken into consideration and that the Municipal Planning By-Laws were adhered to. 'The land use application went through the proper land use application process as prescribed by the Municipal Planning By-law, and was considered appropriate in its location,' said the City. 'It should be noted that comments and objections form part of the consideration of such an application, but taking various factors into consideration the application was supported and approved. 'Note that where there are objections received against a land use application, it does not necessarily mean that an application will be refused. 'The application was assessed as prescribed by the Municipal Planning By-law, taking various aspects into consideration and the application was supported." The residents said they would continue to show disapproval for the approval of the application. 'On behalf of the community of the Lansdowne-Crawford area, represented in part by the persons attached, we hereby wish to loudly declare our ongoing objection and vehement disapproval of the planned mixed-used development on the corners of Rokeby and Lawson Roads,' the residents said jointly from the Lansford community 'Not only is the development not in keeping with the existing, mainly residential make-up of the area, but the retail/commercial nature will seriously impact the entire residential area. 'The size, including the height, of the development, as well as the nature of the proposed business, namely large supermarkets and smaller shops, will have major traffic, noise, and spatial impact. 'Delivery and shopper access is planned to be on Rokeby Road, meaning that, daily, there will be dozens of trucks and hundreds of cars entering Lawson, into Rokeby. 'This will further choke up an already congested primary road, used by the community.' City of Cape Town faces backlash over mixed-use development approval Residents of the Lansdowne-Crawford community express strong opposition to a newly approved mixed-use development, citing concerns over traffic, noise, and the impact on their residential area. Image: supplied They added that existing commercial developments along Kromboom Road, such as a supermarket on the corner of Kromboom and Sunnyside Roads, were already a significant inconvenience to the community, which brought constant traffic congestion. Videos of how the construction impacted their daily lives were shared with the Cape Argus, showing pots and pans rattling in kitchen cupboards. The City explained why the entrance would be along Rokeby: 'As part of the processing of the application, it was indicated that access to the site would only be permissible from Rokeby Road, due to the class of road (Jan Smuts Drive) and also the permissible access distances permitted from the intersection of Jan Smuts Drive and Lawson Road. ' Ward 60 councillor, Mark Kleinschmidt, who was included in the correspondence, said: 'The development is in ward 48 and when the area was in ward 60, I advised the developer to meet with local residents because if they were going to be neighbours it should be amicable. "That was the last I heard. 'Neighbours must be consulted and the issue falls in ward 48 currently.' Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
