Petition: Ward 55 Residents Demand By-Law Enforcement And Safer Communities

Petition addressed to: Cape Town City Manager

Stop the lawlessness. Enforce the by-laws. Protect our neighbourhoods - Brooklyn, Rugby, portion of Milnerton, Century City, Lagoon Beach, Acacia Park, marconi Beam, Paarden Island, Sanddrift, Tjigerhof, Ysterplaat and portion of Woodstock.
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To: The City Manager, City of Cape Town

We, the undersigned residents of Ward 55, call on the City of Cape Town to take decisive action against the ongoing failure to enforce municipal by-laws, address public disorder and protect our neighbourhoods.

Residents should not have to tolerate illegal fires on pavements, braaiing on public walkways, public drinking, drug-related activity, illegal dumping, unsafe buildings or unlawful construction while complaints go unanswered and problems continue.
These concerns extend beyond Brooklyn. Public reporting has highlighted serious complaints in Brooklyn and Rugby, including recurring fires, alleged drug activity at abandoned properties, illegal dumping, public drinking, traffic lawlessness and concerns about the enforcement of building and land-use regulations. Residents have also raised concerns about the occupation and deterioration of public spaces.

We demand consistent enforcement throughout Ward 55—not occasional interventions that leave the same problems to return.

What residents are demanding action on:

1. Illegal fires and braaiing on pavements and public open spaces
Residents have raised concerns about illegal open braais along Koeberg Road and fires associated with informal structures and occupied public spaces. These activities can obstruct pavements, leave rubbish and ash behind, damage public property and create fire risks for nearby homes, businesses and pedestrians. We demand enforcement of the applicable fire-safety and public-space regulations, the removal of unlawful obstructions, and regular patrols at known hotspots.

2. Public drinking, drunkenness and drug-related activity
Residents have reported public drinking, drunken behaviour, suspected drug use, alleged drug dealing, prostitution and violence associated with certain premises and public spaces. These concerns have featured in public reporting on Brooklyn and Rugby. We demand consistent enforcement against unlawful public drinking, disorderly conduct, public nuisances and other established by-law offences. Suspected drug dealing, violence and other criminal conduct must be referred to SAPS and properly investigated.

3. Abandoned buildings, unlawful occupation and unsafe properties
Residents in Brooklyn and Rugby have raised concerns about abandoned or deteriorating properties allegedly being used for unlawful occupation and criminal activity. Reports concerning properties in Justin Street, Brooklyn, and Donegal Street, Rugby, have highlighted repeated fires, safety concerns and demands for decisive action. We demand urgent inspections of reported problem properties, enforcement of applicable building, fire-safety and health requirements, and appropriate action to secure dangerous premises. Where a property qualifies for intervention under the City's Problem Property By-law, the City must use the powers available to it.

4. Illegal building work and land-use contraventions
Residents are entitled to expect the City to enforce approved building plans, zoning provisions, land-use conditions and applicable building regulations.
We call for investigations into reported unauthorised construction, unlawful alterations, illegal conversions and properties operating in breach of their approved land use. Where contraventions are confirmed, the City must issue and enforce the appropriate notices and take further legal action where necessary.

5. Illegal dumping, litter and public-space deterioration
Illegal dumping, accumulated rubbish and the deterioration of public spaces undermine neighbourhood safety, cleanliness and residents' quality of life. Residents have also raised concerns about dumping and informal structures around public spaces in Brooklyn. We demand regular inspections, enforcement against illegal dumping, timely removal of waste and debris, and measures to prevent cleared sites from deteriorating again.

6. Traffic violations and public safety
Residents have raised concerns about traffic lawlessness along Koeberg Road, including dangerous conduct and the need for better coordination between policing and traffic-enforcement services. We demand targeted traffic patrols, enforcement against dangerous and unlawful driving and parking, and action to keep pavements and pedestrian routes safe and accessible.