I’ve been living on and off in the Helderberg basin for the better part of 68 years. I love Strand and want it to be well for everybody, but the splinter in my eye is the facility where the fresh fish gets cleaned daily.
Oh my word, what a mess! I always send my overseas and local guests there to buy fish. This morning (Sunday 13 November), while a helper was cleaning my fish, I looked in and what an absolutely stinking mess I witnessed. I am now in two minds about whether to eat the lovely cod I bought or not.
I spoke to one of the hawkers, Riaan, who said vagrants turn the dirt bins over at night. Well, we always want to pass the blame, but can’t a plan be put into place to solve this huge problem?
I do hope something positive comes from my letter.
Marita Sinclair,
Email
Ward 83 councillor Carl Punt responds: The fish traders in Strand are responsible for the facility where they clean the fish. So if there are any complaints about this facility, please report these to the City of Cape Town, so they can act on the matter. Vagrants do cause problems all over the metropole, and also in Strand. For this reason the City has a “Give Dignity” campaign to raise awareness of people living on the street. This campaign’s focus is on supporting NGOs through donations, rather than handouts to those living on the street. In this way communities can contribute to assisting organisations and the City in addressing this problem.
Patricia van der Ross, Mayoral Committee member for Community Services and Health, responds: The City’s Environmental Health practitioners conduct ad hoc visits to the informal trading area to conduct education and awareness on waste management. Staff will continue to monitor the situation to ensure compliance.
