Following ongoing concerns raised by residents regarding rough sleeping, public-space management and associated problems in parts of Vredehoek and surrounding areas, a coordinated on-site meeting and engagement took place with City officials, law enforcement representatives and members of the community.
The purpose of the engagement was not simply to move people from one location to another, but to establish a more coordinated approach that combines social assistance, engagement, enforcement and better management of affected public spaces.
WHO WAS INVOLVED?
The engagement included:
* Ward Councillor Francine Higham
* Senior Inspector Joseph from Law Enforcement
* Sgt Nel from the Neighbourhood Safety Officers (NSOs)
* Five representatives from the City of Cape Town’s Street People Unit
* Local property owner and resident Philip Nel
* A community representative
The primary focus was the ongoing situation around the intersection of Vredehoek Avenue and Buitenkant Street, together with other identified hotspots around Gardens Centre, Rugley Avenue and surrounding areas.
🤝 ASSISTANCE WAS THE FIRST STEP
The City’s Street People Unit engaged directly with people living on the street in the identified areas.
The purpose was to understand individual circumstances and, importantly, to offer alternatives to remaining on the street.
Where appropriate, officials gathered information that could assist with further intervention and support, including information about family connections and where individuals had originally come from.
The Street People Unit also had transport available on site so that anyone willing to accept assistance could be transported directly to an appropriate safe space.
Individuals were informed about the assistance available to them, including:
🏠 Safe-space and shelter options
🚐 Transport for those willing to accept assistance
🤝 Social support and intervention
💚 Drug rehabilitation programmes and opportunities
👨👩👧👦 Possible reconnection with family and support networks
The engagement produced mixed responses. Some individuals declined the assistance offered, while at least one person indicated that they may be willing to accept assistance when the Street People Unit returned later in the day.
This remains an important part of the approach: assistance and alternatives are offered first, but unlawful behaviour cannot simply be ignored when assistance is repeatedly declined.
👮 WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
A number of practical measures were discussed to improve safety, cleanliness and the management of affected public spaces.
👮 Increased NSO Foot Patrols
Councillor Higham requested increased Neighbourhood Safety Officer foot patrols in the identified problem areas.
This includes the Vredehoek Avenue and Buitenkant Street area, as well as Derry Street and its surrounds.
Greater visible presence is intended to assist with monitoring recurring problems, responding to infringements and improving safety and accountability in these areas.
⚖️ GREATER ENFORCEMENT WHERE OFFENCES OCCUR
Where assistance has been offered and declined, authorities will place greater emphasis on enforcing applicable laws and by-laws when offences occur.
The meeting specifically discussed increased enforcement relating to behaviour including:
* Fighting or riotous behaviour in public
* Being drunk in public
* Drinking alcohol or being under the influence in public
* Behaviour that presents a danger to the individual or to others
Where the legal requirements are met, these offences may result in enforcement action and arrest.
The intention is therefore to combine support with accountability, rather than treating the two approaches as mutually exclusive.
🔥 OPEN FIRES IN PUBLIC SPACES
Residents should also be aware that making an unlawful open fire in a public area can result in enforcement action, including the issuing of a fine.
This is particularly important where fires create a potential safety risk to surrounding residents, businesses, buildings or vegetation.
🚗 TRAFFIC & PARKING ENFORCEMENT
Traffic-related infringements in affected areas will also receive attention.
This includes vehicles parked illegally or on red lines and other traffic-law infringements.
Motorists are therefore encouraged to ensure that vehicles are parked legally, even in areas where parking is limited.
🗑️ GREATER ATTENTION ON BIN DAYS
Waste and refuse left in public areas can contribute significantly to the deterioration of problem areas.
Councillor Higham indicated that she can engage with Waste Management regarding increased attention to these areas, particularly on refuse collection days.
Residents can also assist by managing bins responsibly and avoiding leaving refuse accessible in public spaces for unnecessarily long periods.
🏘️ RETHINKING PROBLEM PAVEMENT AREAS
An interesting longer-term intervention was also discussed.
Property owners and businesses at certain affected corners may have the option of applying to the City to lease portions of pavement space at a nominal rate, where permitted.
Once appropriately authorised, actively using these spaces with elements such as:
🪴 Planters and pot plants
🪑 Tables and chairs
💡 Improved lighting
🏪 Active frontage from adjoining properties
could help transform underutilised pavement areas into cleaner, more actively managed spaces.
Councillor Higham indicated that she is willing to assist property owners who would like to investigate the pavement-leasing process.
Improved downlighting was also suggested for certain problem areas.
The principle is simple: public spaces that are well-lit, maintained and actively used can be easier for residents, businesses and authorities to manage.
📣 RESIDENTS HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY
One of the strongest messages coming from the engagement was that authorities cannot address every recurring problem without the cooperation of residents.
Sgt Nel specifically requested that residents witnessing infringements be prepared, where necessary, to provide sworn statements.
Anonymous reports can alert authorities to a problem, but where enforcement or prosecution requires evidence, a resident may need to be prepared to formally confirm what they witnessed.
Residents are therefore encouraged to:
📞 Report incidents through the appropriate channels
📝 Record accurate information about incidents where safe to do so
🤝 Cooperate with officials when further information is required
📄 Be prepared to provide a sworn statement where necessary
🏘️ Communicate with neighbouring residents, tenants and businesses about recurring problems
IMPORTANT CONTACT NUMBERS
📞 Law Enforcement: 021 480 7700
To report inappropriate behaviour, particularly criminal activity or offences requiring Law Enforcement attention.
📞 DPVWATCH Watchcom: 021 422 4222
Consistent reporting is particularly important because it helps authorities establish patterns, identify hotspots and determine where resources and patrols are most needed.
🤝 A COORDINATED COMMUNITY APPROACH
Residents, tenants, property owners and businesses in affected areas are encouraged to communicate with one another rather than attempting to address recurring problems individually.
A coordinated approach gives both DPVWATCH and City authorities a much clearer picture of what is happening in a particular area.
The solution will require persistence.
There is unlikely to be one intervention that resolves every concern immediately. Social assistance, rehabilitation opportunities, law enforcement, waste management, improved lighting, active management of public spaces and consistent community reporting all form part of the broader response.
SUPPORT • ENGAGEMENT • ENFORCEMENT • SAFER PUBLIC SPACES
The objective is to ensure that vulnerable individuals are offered meaningful assistance and alternatives, while also recognising residents’ legitimate expectation that public spaces should remain safe, clean, accessible and properly managed.
Councillor Francine Higham specifically requested that the information from the engagement be shared with the wider community.
DPVWATCH will continue to keep residents informed as the interventions progress and further information becomes available.
