Three cyclists have been attacked in the lower Woodstock area in the past week, in the latest of a series of public safety incidents linked to an illegal land occupation that took hold there after the pandemic.

The attacks, highlighted by the Pedal Power Association, follow last month’s High Court judgment that paved the way for the landowner, Transnet, to vacate the affected areas in Woodstock and Salt River. The judgment has been complicated by an announcement from activist organisation Ndifuna Ukwazi that it plans to apply for leave to appeal.

Appeal denies link between occupation and crime

The City of Cape Town’s Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith, said the appeal application is based, among other things, on the claim that there was any evidence or reason for the judge to conclude that it is reasonable to assume the occupants are responsible for at least some of the almost daily incidents of crime in the area.

“The illegal occupation and the associated anti-social and criminal behaviour has wrought havoc on surrounding communities, effectively removed a vital cycling lane from people travelling to the city using a bicycle, as well as road users,” said Smith.

Strain on City and police resources

Smith said the occupation had placed an enormous strain on City and police resources, given extensive evidence of cable theft, drug dealing and associated petty crime visible on the site itself. The court conducted a site inspection before handing down its order.

Appeal delays prolong public safety risks

“Protracted appeal litigation will likely cause delays and make it very difficult to effectively stop attacks on road users and cyclists that continue to emanate from this site, like the ones reported in this past week, and those we have seen escalating over the past few years as the occupation has grown and the criminals become more emboldened,” said Smith.

He said the City intends to oppose the application for leave to appeal, but in the meantime the risks to public safety will continue.

City calls on Transnet to act

Smith said the City hopes Transnet will now act to secure access to its land and prevent further growth of the occupation. He said Transnet too faces an uphill battle of continued vandalism and crime on its land while the occupation is not addressed.

Rights of road users also need consideration

Smith said while the City respects every person’s right to access legal redress, the cycling fraternity, surrounding community, business owners and N1 road users must start asking whether their own rights to use and access public roads, both in cars and on bikes, without fear of attack, are being adequately considered when organisations like Ndifuna Ukwazi file notices of appeal denying the extensive evidence of criminal activity from the site.

He urged residents to continue reporting any criminality linked to the land invasion to City Enforcement and the police.

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