A green wall built just after the Epping Market was removed in 2021 is causing a headache for residents.
“Their biggest mistake was leaving a few families behind and erecting a wall. Crime increased when the Epping Market Group was closed and removed,” Maryanne Jordaan, a resident from Thorton says.
Jordaan explains that criminals and drug addicts are hiding behind the wall next to Epping Market Road which was built when the Epping Market group was demolished.
“The green wall was beautiful at first. Now there are slabs missing and openings made at various points. You can now see what is visible behind the green wall. Not a pretty site at all. Outside the green wall, they dump their dirt. It has become a washing line,” a resident says.
Other residents took to Facebook to express their anger.
One resident stated that crime has elevated, Thornton is neglected and the number of people living in the walled-up space increased.
There were promises of relocating them but instead, they got walled up, the filth is disgusting, and dirt all over Thornton’s side of the open field across from them has become a toilet.
Another resident says something must be done about that green wall.
“It is only a matter of time before something bad happens,” he says.
According to Jordaan heroin and tik are also being sold there.
The City of Cape Town states that they are aware of these sites and that it has been identified for the relocation of the occupants. The City says that community engagement is still to take place.
