Last week the councillor for Ward 5 confirmed the construction of the fence along the N7 highway in Richwood is still going ahead.
This comes after a local resident complained about the incomplete fence and the dangers it poses.
In June last year TygerBurger reported on the start of the construction of the 800 metres of fencing in the area.
The project, which is facilitated through the Mayoral Urban Regeneration Programme and funded by community services and health, costs about R2,2 million.
“It was further reported that the fence would be installed in two parts – 500 metres in June 2021 and the remaining 300 metres at a later stage. The unfortunate timing of the elections in November last year however has made it difficult to initiate much as council had to be legally constituted, and subcouncils constituted now only,” says Helen Carstens, ward councillor.
“The money for the fence has been allocated on the budget and the department is busy with sorting contractors through the various processes of the City of Cape Town. The process should take about another month or so, however I will keep the community informed as to when further installation will commence,” Carstens says.
The fence will separate Richwood, De Zicht and Burgundy Estate from Dunoon.
Feerouza Kruger, who moved to Richwood last year from Summer Greens where she also served on the neighbourhood watch, says over the past few months she has been concerned about the crime in the area. She also indicated in an email to the ward councillor, that the fence closure was meant to help manage and deter crime in the area.
“I was exceptionally happy when we moved here and saw the fence go up, but terribly disappointed when it stopped halfway. I understand all about budgets as I manage finances for a non-profit, but surely we have the right as residents to be given proper timeliness for the fence to be completed,” Kruger wrote.
Carstens assured the resident that the fence would be completed in this financial year, which is at the end of June.
