Several potholes have been repaired in Panorama since the start of the year. Repair works to potholes are currently underway in Monte Vista which will be followed by Edgemead, Welgelegen, Sonnendal and Kaapzicht. Currently 60% of the work has been completed in Monte Vista.
This information was shared by Brean Esterhuysen of the City of Cape Town’s roads department; urban mobility at the Subcouncil 3 meeting held on Thursday last week. Esterhuysen said a resealing project has also been done in Panorama.
Cheryl Visser, councillor for Ward 1, thanked the department for the work done. She said her concern is, however, the size of her ward and the time it takes to reinstate the roads, once the work is completed. “It is a vast ward, more funding would mean more contractors to have the work completed faster,” she said.
She also requested that the department of water and sanitation to come on board to help with the reinstatement.
Phindile Maxiti, subcouncil chair, indicated that a concern of his is the pace of the work. He said the backlogs could be the reason for this, but that if funding is made available anything is possible. He said they would want to request an engagement with the department where they can discuss the options available to have the matter sorted.
Informal traders also on agenda
Other matters receiving attention was the delay in the informal trading plan. Shirley Alexander, district area coordinator – economic growth and economic development – addressed the council on this matter.
She again made mention of the non-compliant informal trader outside a college in Plattekloof. Compliance officers have been to the area, but they do not have the capacity to conduct a confiscation. Alexander said health issues regarding the food that is being sold is another concern. The matter has been elevated to the environmental health department.
Visser said the woman remains in the area despite the continuous attempts to have her removed. She also confirmed that the food being sold outside the college is a concern. “I get regular complaints,” she said.
This is also a danger for the students, she said and referred to it as being a health hazard.
“What happens if it is not sold?” she asked. The City’s health department, law enforcement and informal trading have to assist with the problem, she said.
The trader sells vetkoek and mince, among other food. Visser indicated that she had already taken up the matter with the management of the college.
Informal traders on Plattekloof Road, Bothasig, have however been compliant, said Alexander.
It is quiet and there is nothing serious coming from this area. The complaints officers are still visiting the site, Alexander said. It seems as though their messages are going through to the traders and there has been a positive response from the community as well, she added.
In Ward 104 (Dunoon) the trading spaces have been taken up by the taxis, Alexander said. Meisie Makuwa, ward councillor, said she wants to have a meeting with the taxi owners.
Potsdam Sustainability Campus
The Potsdam Sustainability Campus was also on the agenda. At a previous meeting ward councillors requested feedback on the eviction of the vagrants and also the invasive Port Jackson in the area.
No response has yet been received, however, a representative of the department of public works, the property owner, did indicate that they will liaise with anti-land invasion and provide an update in the coming weeks.
Joy Solomon, councillor for Ward 113, commented that the project started a few weeks ago already but that it appears as though council had lost impetus in the project as there is not much progress since then.
Maxiti said there are three months before the end of the financial year. He asked that ward councillors ensure that their ward allocation budget is spent.
