The City of Cape Town says no further action will be taken against the community of Salberau in Elsies River who constructed a wall without permission.
The community of Salberau complained that criminals rob or attack residents and then run away through corridors next to the houses. Members put money together and got volunteers to help them construct the wall.
Wayne Dyason, spokesperson for City’s law enforcement, says law enforcement engaged the community, who indicated they would apply to have the wall remain.
“No further action will be taken pending the outcome of the aforementioned application.
“As indicated before, the police is the primary agency responsible for crime prevention. The City’s enforcement agencies work in support of the police and conduct as many proactive patrols and enforcement operations as resources allow. However, given the many competing demands on our resources, it is not possible to remain static in any particular area on an ongoing basis,” says Dyason.
Consensus
Gail Swanepoel, spokesperson for the community, says they have reached an agreement with the City that the wall can remain, for now.
“The wall is 90% finished and we have agreed that we will not finish it and they will not break it down until we get feedback from the authorities. We have written a letter asking for permission to continue with the wall, so we are awaiting confirmation,” says Swanepoel.
She says it would never have gone this far if authorities just listened to them.
“We wrote letters to almost everyone to get help. When nobody helped us we decided to build the wall. It is not that people will be cut off from a part of the community.
“Just two minutes away is a place where people can walk through.
