Residents packed Wynberg Boys\u2019 Junior School on Tuesday 24 February at 18:00. Meanwhile, Public Works Minister Dean MacPherson apologised for years of delays at the state-owned Waterloo Green property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The site, situated near schools and residential homes in Wynberg, has remained largely unused for more than a decade. Vacant buildings have repeatedly been unlawfully occupied, with residents raising ongoing safety concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI want to offer a personal apology to all of you that we have not got as far as we should have,\u201d said MacPherson. \u201cWe take responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Residents told officials that unlawful occupants access the property through the Wynberg River canal. Afterwards, they climb over boundary fences into neighbouring homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have spent thousands securing our properties, but access through the river remains a problem,\u201d one resident said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dumisani Gqibela, regional manager in Cape Town for the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), confirmed that parts of the property remain lawfully occupied. These include a government garage and several dwellings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, three vacant buildings have become problematic due to repeated unlawful occupation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gqibela confirmed that security measures will be strengthened from March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs of next month there will be six security personnel on site, including two dog handlers, and fencing will be reinforced,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The department hopes the additional security presence will deter further unlawful entry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Demolition of unsafe structures has been delayed by heritage legislation. Approval from Heritage Western Cape is required before buildings older than 60 years can be demolished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A heritage architect must first conduct assessments before any demolition can proceed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ward 62 councillor Emile Langenhoven added that an electricity cable running through the property must be relocated before sections of the site can be fully secured or leased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To address administrative delays, MacPherson announced that an independent programme manager has been appointed to fast-track decisions about the site\u2019s future use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Law enforcement officials acknowledged that the property remains difficult to manage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Principal Inspector Nelson Draai from Metro Police said officers regularly remove unlawful occupants, but they often return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is an ongoing enforcement issue,\u201d Draai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Residents proposed that the land be used for affordable housing for teachers and other public servants. However, officials cautioned that environmental and heritage protections limit development options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Closing the meeting, MacPherson assured residents that any future plans for Waterloo Green would involve public consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After more than 11 years of delays, residents said they will closely monitor commitments made at Tuesday\u2019s meeting. They want to see if these result in visible improvements.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Dean MacPherson apologised to Wynberg residents for long-standing Waterloo Green delays, promising stronger security and faster action on the 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