Ward 113 councillor Sue van der Linde says a busy week of operations, community engagement and service delivery has seen progress on several problem areas across the ward, including illegal trading, dumping, homelessness and public-space maintenance.

Among the issues receiving attention was the busy corner of Blaauwberg Road and Potsdam Road, where Van der Linde has escalated concerns about illegal trading, littering and dumping.

“I have asked Informal Trading Management to investigate, take the appropriate action against illegal traders and look at relocating authorised trading into the proper bays,” she said.

Illegal trading hotspot under scrutiny

Van der Linde said traders had occupied the area near the Potsdam Transport Hub, with some selling items allegedly retrieved from bins and waste.

Residents using the nearby waste facility have also reported being harassed, while there have been allegations of items being taken from vehicles while motorists wait at traffic lights.

“The site has become extremely dirty, with ongoing littering and dumping,” said Van der Linde.

She said the situation was particularly frustrating because designated trading bays are available inside the transport hub for authorised traders.

She has also asked that the corner be considered for beautification, including the possible use of grey rocks to discourage dumping.

Road markings refreshed

The Mayco member for urban mobility, Rob Quintas, visited the ward during the week, where pedestrian crossing and traffic-calming road markings at the Potsdam Transport Hub were refreshed.

Van der Linde also raised concerns about the deteriorating condition of the hub’s ticket office, which Quintas has agreed to investigate.

A similar concern was raised at Dunoon Clinic, where Van der Linde said traders are using designated bays but that the City should establish which traders are legally authorised.

She also raised concerns about litter around the clinic despite bins being provided.

Joint operations target problem sites

A joint operation was also conducted in the ward, resulting in the removal of several illegal structures and the cleaning of a number of sites. Van der Linde urged residents not to leave unwanted household items on pavements, warning that these are often scattered around the ward and end up in parks and green belts.

She encouraged residents to dispose of unwanted household waste responsibly at the Killarney waste facility.

Work continues at sustainability site

Progress has also been reported at the Potsdam Sustainability Site, where informal structures have been numbered to assist with better management and the cleanup process has begun.

Meanwhile, work has started on the exterior of the old tourism centre at Blouberg, with upgrades to the ablution facilities also planned.

At Boy de Goede Circle, Van der Linde met with Build It and Engen management about a group of men who gather in the area daily and have become a concern for residents and customers.

Additional security measures are being considered, including fencing at Build It and ClearVu fencing around Engen’s signage.

Residents raise concerns

Residents of Queens Close also raised concerns about a nearby green belt and biodiversity area being occupied by rough sleepers and increasingly used as a dumping ground.

Van der Linde said the concerns had been escalated to the relevant City departments for intervention.

She also reported assisting two people living in vehicles, including helping one with a job application and another with a Sassa matter.

Van der Linde attended the Parklands Homeowners Association AGM during the week and praised the association for its work in supporting residents, including its two full-time ARK patrol vehicles, park clean-ups and efforts to encourage the maintenance of verges and compliance with planning processes.

She also visited the Echium Market and participated in a Blue Saturday event at Raats Drive with Cllr Jonathan Mills and DA activists ahead of the elections.

“There is always more work to do, but progress is being made across Ward 113,” said Van der Linde.

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