An integrated operation held in Wynberg has brought local authorities and stakeholders one step closer to “cleaning up the suburb”.
On Friday 27 May, a combined force consisting of officers from the Western Cape Department of Transport, the Liquor Board, the Gambling Board, South African Police Service (Saps), Traffic Services, Metro Police, Law Enforcement and members of Community in Blue, were deployed at the Public Transport Interchange (PTI) as well as in and around Main Road from 11:30 to 16:00.
Capt Silvino Davids, spokesperson for Wynberg police, says the focus was on bylaw infringements. In addition, he says most of the liquor premises as well as gambling outlets were visited to check for compliance.
During the joint operation, Law Enforcement issued 18 fines valued at R7 900.
A total of 39 fines to the value of R32 000 were issued. Two drug arrests were made; one for the possession of crystal meth and Mandrax, and the other for heroin.
Davids says, going forward, this is the way that they would like to do their operations.
“The availability of resources is then greater which leads to greater visibility. Together, we can then focus on more things at the same time; each department in their own professional capacity, while being supported by each other as a whole,” he says.
Davids says they don’t want to see the area deteriorate, whether that is social, economic or crime wise. “The more everybody works together and play their part, the better it is for everyone,” he says.
A similar operation was held earlier this year.
Attended by Carmen Siebritz, councillor for Ward 63, and Langenhoven, they told People’s Post that these kind of operations formed part of a bigger picture to restore Wynberg to its former self.
Speaking at the annual general meeting of the Wynberg Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association (WRRA) held on Thursday 7 April, Langenhoven outlined his strategy to improve the suburb.
He said the decay that had set in the neighbourhood was due to lawlessness and slum lords “who have allowed their properties to deteriorate and have attracted a criminal element that has established themselves in the Wynberg CBD”.
“On a daily basis, I am contacted by Wynberg residents who have complaints about public drinking, drug trafficking, break-ins, taxis speeding down narrow residential roads, illegal taxi ranks, homelessness, illegal dumping and traffic congestion,” he said.
A feedback report shared by WRRA with their members quoted Langenhoven as saying that many property owners in Wynberg had let their properties go to ruin. Moreover, he said, they had also turned a profit on that ruin. Some, he claimed, collect a high rent (up to R3 000 per month) from buildings but provide no electricity, services, sewage, water or ventilation.
“If anything happens to those buildings (such as a fire breaking out), it will be a humanitarian disaster,” Langenhoven said.
