CAPE TOWN – Following mounting opposition to the development, Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said he would be unable to meet with Brackenfell ratepayers to address their vehement objections to proposed low-cost and social housing in Ruwari.
The Brackenfell Ratepayers Association (BRPA) extended an invitation to the mayor’s office requesting a public meeting to address their concerns. These range from what they believe was inadequate public participation in the initial process, to insufficient infrastructure, devaluation of properties, and the potential devastating impact the development would have on surrounding neighbourhoods.
The Mayor’s office responded by indicating, “While the mayor is always available to discuss issues raised by ratepayers’ associations, the mayor cannot specifically discuss matters for which development planning processes are underway. This is because the mayor is the appointed Appeal Authority in terms of the Municipal Planning By-Law.”
According to mayoral spokesperson Lyndon Khan, this means that any planning application that is appealed by either the applicant or an objector must be considered and assessed by the Appeal Authority without fear or favour.
“Having discussions with objectors regarding a planning proposal would be deemed inappropriate and may open any decision to review on the potential argument of perceived bias,” says Khan.
This housing project, which will see 115 council flats and 30 low-cost houses, forms part of the mayor’s land release priority programme that focuses on accelerating land release for affordable housing and spatial inclusivity.
Chairperson of BRPA Carlo Agostini expressed his disappointment in the mayor’s response. “It was to be expected. I feel the mayor is losing touch with reality and putting the DA’s agenda first. He could at least have come to hear out our valid concerns. He loves to come out and take pictures with people, but when you want to speak to him about critical issues, he has a conflict of interest,” says Agostini.
Agostini maintains that Cape Town ratepayers lack a voice regarding the effect that low-cost housing developments could have on established middle-class neighbourhoods.
“It is happening all over the metro where communities are singing the same song, but getting the same deaf ear. They are not listening to us and are going ahead with their own agenda regardless of what we say. They tie it up in legislation and we simply do not have the money to fight this, as we struggle just to keep up with the standard of living in Cape Town,” he says.
“We feel powerless because nobody listens to us as we try to save our neighbourhoods from ruin. Ward councillors are clearly dancing to the tune of the powers that be in the City of Cape Town, and you get the feeling that there is nothing you can do about anything they have decided upon.”
Agostini says residents in Ruwari made great sacrifices and worked hard for years to purchase properties in the area to improve their way of living in an area with relatively low crime rates.
“One of my neighbours moved from Khayelitsha to get away from the crime, and now she is right back where she was,” he says. “It is about socio-economics.”
Residents firmly believe that the housing scheme will turn the neighbourhood into a slum, and that there is no indicator that it will not reduce property rates.
“Show me one such development that works. Similar housing schemes in Kraaifontein appeared satisfactory for the first month. Look at it now—broken windows, overcrowding, and dereliction. The studies used by the City are flawed,” he says.
Residents fear the creation of illegal taxi ranks and an increase in crime.
“We moved our families here so that we could take our dogs out for a walk in the afternoon without fear, and for children to play in relative safety. That will all be gone. The City does not care what it is doing to us, its ratepayers. The mayor says it is to provide housing for people close to their jobs, but why not start with the transport system? What is his agenda? They are creating more problems, not solving anything. It is wrong.”
