Just three weeks after the official opening of the new Princess Vlei circulatory trail, vandals have reportedly removed one of the wooden slats from one of the footbridges in the park.

This incident has prompted the City of Cape Town to appeal to residents for information and to help protect one of the Cape Flats’ most important environmental and heritage sites.

The City recently invested R10.2 million in the development of the 4.23km Princess Vlei trail, creating an accessible recreational space with boardwalks, bridges, seating areas, restored fynbos and improved public facilities.

The project was completed in partnership with the Princess Vlei Forum (PVF) and local communities after years of collaboration to enhance and protect the area.

Trail vandalism

However, in the early hours of Monday morning, 30 June, a group of suspects allegedly removed wooden slats from one of the footbridges along the 4,23 km circulatory trail.

City rangers caught the suspects in the act, but they fled the scene, leaving the stolen wood behind.

Further inspections revealed that several signs had also been damaged, while at least one information board had been defaced.

Ward 72 councillor Kevin Southgate said additional measures have been introduced following the incident.

“We have increased visibility and daily patrols,” Southgate said.

The City’s mayco member for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham, described the vandalism as deeply disappointing.

“It is deeply disappointing that infrastructure at Princess Vlei has been targeted just weeks after this community facility was opened,” Higham said.

She noted that the Recreation and Parks Department continues to maintain a security presence within available resources but emphasised that Princess Vlei remains a large, open public space stretching over several kilometres.

“Community vigilance is essential,” she said.

Community support

This week People’s Post spoke with Emma Oliver, member of the Princess Vlei Forum (PVF) who says she is aware of the bridge’s vandalism.

“We were deeply disappointed to see what had happened in terms of the dismantling and theft of the planks that were on the bridge. At the same time, we’re excited and thrilled to see how many of the community and how many people are using the new walkway, the Princess Vlei Trail on a regular basis and it’s really great to see that.”

Oliver says it is vital that the community “take ownership” of the trail.

“We are asking the community to be looking out for vandals and destruction, not littering, helping us, the Princess Vlei Forum, take care of the site in terms of removing alien vegetation, planting. We’ve been really encouraged also to see that local neighbourhood watch groups are patrolling now and are taking an active interest and we’re hopeful that these kinds of things won’t happen again.”

PVF will also be hosting a planting workshop on Mandela day, Saturday 18 July.

Higham also condemned the destruction of public assets that were created for everyone to enjoy.

“We strongly condemn such destruction and disregard for the collective efforts to ensure universal access to community facilities. The responsibility rests with each and every one of us to guard community assets for the enjoyment of all.”

Heritage protection

Princess Vlei is internationally recognised as an important biodiversity site and provides habitat for numerous indigenous plant species. It is also a vital breeding area for the critically endangered Western Leopard Toad, making environmental protection a key priority.

Beyond its ecological value, Princess Vlei is deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of the area.

Khoi-San community activist Mary Ann Jansen previously said preserving Princess Vlei was about far more than protecting open space.

“We were involved in the struggle to have Princess Vlei declared a heritage site. It was a long battle that lasted many years, but ultimately we were successful in having it recognised and protected as a heritage site for the people,” she said.

Jansen explained that the vlei and surrounding landscape are closely connected to Khoi-San history and spiritual traditions.

Residents of Grassy Park and the Princess Vlei Forum (PVF), who fought for more than a decade to preserve Princess Vlei from a proposed shopping mall development, celebrated the launch of the Princess Vlei trail after the ribbon was cut on Wednesday 10 June.

The 4,23 km trail inside Princess Vlei Park includes: resting spaces with seating and litter bins, and a number of boardwalks and bridges where people can get closer to the water’s edge.

Residents with information about the vandalism or any other criminal or by-law offences are encouraged to contact the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on
021 480 7700 or report anonymously to 0800 110077, available 24 hours a day.

People’s Post reached out to the police but they could not respond before the time of publication.

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