As the dust settled on Wynberg\u2019s Hill following the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa\u2019s (Prasa\u2019s) controversial \u201cclean-up operation\u201d over the weekend of 24 February, so did those scattered by the eviction go on to settle on other spots in the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was maintained by Ward 63 councillor Carmen Siebritz as she indicated that \u201cthose evicted are scattered across Wynberg and are just settling anywhere and everywhere\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As confirmed by Wynberg police spokesperson Capt Silvino Davids, criminal activities and environmental issues affecting the community and businesses, more specifically the Yusufeyyah Masjid, contributed to the action imposed by Prasa in February. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reports from Wynberg suggested violence initially sparked a rigid response by the railway agency, to which Davids confirmed: \u201cIndeed there was a stabbing that occurred on Friday 23 February where a male person, who is alleged to be a gang member, was stabbed at the taxi rank in Wynberg.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He continued that the suspects arrested concerning the stabbing were indeed occupants on the Hill, \u201cwhich was occupied illegally\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDrug abuse [was] the most prominent among the dwellers on the Hill. The dwellers themselves occupied other areas in Wynberg. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe action led by Prasa over the weekend of 24 February had an effect in that there are less illegal activities happening there,\u201d Davids added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These circumstances currently force law enforcement, the police, private security, block watches and neighbourhood watches to do additional patrols during the day and night, \u201cnot knowing where the street people have settled\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Locations where street people have recently settled, as far as is known at this time, are Broad Close, Belpar Road Park, Mitcham Road Subway, Prasa Open Spaces and Railway line, situated opposite homes, and Castletown Road, as far down as South Road. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cComplaints from residents in Mitcham Road have certainly become more frequent,\u201d added Siebtritz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She argues that Prasa should have thought before acting \u201cillegally\u201d, as \u201cWynberg East residents, particularly those in Broad Close, Broad Road and Mitcham Road, are being adversely affected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Residents in these particular pockets indicate that they feel unsafe and are fearful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The secretary of the Yusufeyyah Masjid and chair of the Wynberg East Civic Association Yunus Karriem argued that since there are no longer inhabitants on the Hill next to the mosque, \u201cit has been a much better experience for those at the mosque and surrounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe really appreciate that Prasa made their presence felt[\u2026] I think the residents of Wynberg and the Civic Association along with Prasa has done something great in terms of eliminating criminal threats that were emanating from the Hill.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He continued to refer back to the root cause of the illegal settling in parts of Wynberg dating back to 2020 when the City of Cape Town relocated homeless people from the Strandfontein camp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Karriem raised this rhetorical question: \u201cWhat should the City have done when they closed the Strandfontein camp?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLogically,\u201d he answered, \u201cthey should\u2019ve taken each and everyone back to where they picked them up or the City should have accommodated them into safe spaces directly\u2026 Why drop them in Wynberg?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The City of Cape Town responded to questions about the ongoing saga, pointing out that the City was not part of the Prasa operation at the site known as \u201cthe Hill\u201d in Wynberg in February. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn terms of complaints and\/or actions in respect of displaced persons, the City conducts ongoing interventions in areas that have experienced an upsurge in persons living on the street, or informality, including Wynberg. Area law enforcement staff conduct patrols and respond to complaints, where resources allow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Due to the many competing demands on enforcement staff, the City added, it is not possible to maintain a static presence and reiterated that law enforcement officers can only enforce the City\u2019s by-laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Karriem believes the City still has a role to play to provide safe places for street people. \u201cEspecially, Social Development still has a role to play to address relative social ills and get the people off the street.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this regard, the City responded, saying: \u201cThe social development and early childhood development department\u2019s street people programme unit visits the area frequently to offer assistance to individuals, including a move to shelter, reintegration with their families\/communities or access to other social services. These offers are voluntary, and no person can be forced to accept assistance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In response to questions by People\u2019s Post <\/span>following the chaos that erupted in Wynberg at the end of February, Prasa maintained the same statement released on Tuesday 27 February. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUnderstanding the diverse challenges faced by those residing on \u2018The Hill\u2019, including the rise in criminal activities that have unfortunately become associated with the area, Prasa\u2019s Protection Services have approached this matter with a commitment to commuter and community safety[\u2026] We are intensifying security measures and continuing to work closely with local stakeholders to prevent future encroachments and to maintain the safety of the area. Our commitment to monitoring and securing the railway reserve area remains unwavering.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As the dust settled on Wynberg\u2019s Hill following the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa\u2019s (Prasa\u2019s) controversial \u201cclean-up operation\u201d over the weekend of 24 February, so did those scattered by the eviction go on to settle on other spots in the 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