A Peerless Park West homeowner is accusing the City of Cape Town of gross municipal neglect.

He has formally escalated a catalogue of community failures to officials and city councilors, demanding a concrete action plan within 48 hours or he will go public with documented evidence of the decline.

The vacant City-owned land at the corner of Steytler Street, Frans Conradie Road and Milton Street has become a flashpoint.

Despite repeated reports, massive quantities of refuse and piles of tyres are dumped there almost daily, according to Jason Hough.

Hough says temporary clean-ups are clearly not working and that the problem is being treated as a maintenance issue rather than a enforcement failure.

“The site gets cleared, only for the dumping to return within days, sometimes by the following morning,” he says.

The problem goes far deeper

But according to him the grievance goes far deeper than a single piece of land.

“The broader state of our community is becoming unacceptable,” says Hough. We are living with neglected municipal land, persistent illegal dumping, deteriorating and unsuitable roads, extensive gang-related graffiti and markings, and an ongoing sense of insecurity.”

Gang markings associated with the 26, 27, 28 and USA gangs are reportedly visible throughout the area, markings Hough says no community should have to accept as part of daily life.

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“We hear gunshots at night. On too many occasions, residents wake up the following day to news of another death,” he says.

“Residents are also regularly exposed to crime in the area. Public posts from local security providers, regularly document incidents involving theft and arrests in the surrounding community. Residents do not need to be told that there is a problem when they are experiencing the consequences of it themselves.”

And while Peerless Park West and surrounding areas are struggling with these issues, neighbouring communities such as Wallacedene and Scottsdene continue to face their own severe challenges with poverty, crime and deteriorating living conditions.

“This cannot simply be dismissed as an isolated neighbourhood complaint. These are communities where people live, work, raise families and pay for services. They deserve functioning infrastructure, properly maintained public land, effective enforcement, clean surroundings and a meaningful sense of safety.”

Demanding a plan

Hough is requesting a concrete action plan covering the vacant municipal land, measures to prevent recurring dumping, removal of dumped tyres and refuse, the condition of roads and infrastructure, the prevalence of gang graffiti, community safety measures, coordination with law enforcement, and longer-term investment for Peerless Park West and surrounding areas.

He has warned that if meaningful action is not taken, he intends to photograph, video and document every aspect of the decline and make it publicly visible.

He called for accountability and basic standards of living, stating plainly that deteriorating infrastructure, crime, illegal dumping and unsafe conditions should not be normal.

“How much further must these communities deteriorate before the City treats the situation as an urgent priority? I have tried addressing the immediate dumping problem through the appropriate channels. I have reported it repeatedly. I have contacted the relevant political representatives. I have asked for assistance. Something needs to change, and it needs to change now.”

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In response Wayne Dyason, spokesperson for City Law Enforcement said law enforcement officers do ad hoc patrols in the area.

“Officers can only fine people who dump illegally if they, the officers, witness the act themselves or are provided statements by residents who have seen the unlawful act. Residents are to provide as much detail as possible such as the date, time, registration numbers of vehicles or photographs,” says Dyason.

“The challenges fall within the mandates of several City departments. Addressing these issues therefore requires a coordinated, multi-departmental approach. Representatives of these departments will meet to discuss a way forward.”