The Ken-Fac Residents and Ratepayers’ Association has lambasted the City of Cape Town for what it described as a lack of transparency following a decision to relocate about 60 families from Salt River to the Ghost Town informal settlement in Kensington.
The informal settlement is based at Gate 1 at the Maitland Cemetery.
Leslie Swartz, Kenfac Residents and Ratepayers Association chair, claimed this decision was taken without prior engagement with the residents of the ward.
“We demand transparency, meaningful engagement and a comprehensive account of the planning, consultation and implementation processes surrounding this development.”
Swartz called on all relevant authorities and stakeholders to prioritise the public interest by providing full disclosure and clear responses to the issues raised by the association and the broader community.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the rights and interests of the Kensington Factreton community, and we will continue to hold those in positions of leadership accountable to the people they serve.”
The association is demanding, among others, the immediate publication of the full planning proposal, including the approved traffic management strategy and all environmental and social impact assessments.
According to Swartz, expanding the Ghost Town informal settlement will exacerbate the challenges already experienced there.
“We want a clear plan of action for safeguarding pedestrian safety —particularly that of children — given the current dangers at the already congested intersection.
Confirmation of any proposed modifications to road design, signage or traffic flow to accommodate the expected population increase and alleviate existing strain on infrastructure.
“Details regarding the provision of designated parking and safe drop-off zones to avoid illegal or unsafe use of main arterial roads.”
He said they also want an explanation of how the project intends to mitigate the heightened congestion and frequent “near-miss incidents” already plaguing the area during peak traffic hours.
Swartz also took a swipe at Cheslyn Steenberg, the Ward 56 councillor, whom he accused of not being transparent and “lack of coordination with his official ward committee”.
“We therefore demand the immediate release of all documentation related to this development and the establishment of open, public forums where residents can be heard and their concerns addressed without prejudice.
“Our community will not be sidelined. We are the stakeholders in our shared future, and we will continue to advocate relentlessly for a development process that is ethical, inclusive and accountable.”
In a WhatsApp message addressed to residents, Steenberg apologised to the residents.
“I want to acknowledge the concerns and disappointment expressed by members of our community regarding the recent decision to accommodate squatters from Salt River. I understand this decision was made without proper consultation with our community and for that I apologise.”
In a letter dated 3 June addressed to National Minister of Human Settlements Thembisile Simelane, seen by People’s Post, Steenberg requested the minister intervene in halting the relocation from Salt River to Ghost Town in Kensington.
“I request, on behalf of residents, that you intervene with urgency to halt the City of Cape Town’s relocation plans and help us avoid an increase in informal-settlement occupants and treating the ward as a dumping ground… This ward already has six informal settlements plus the infamous Wingfield Refugee Tent in Voortrekker Road.”
Steenberg said the people of her ward were willing to engage with the City “yet the relocation is non-negotiable. Let me also remind you… winter is coming and will affect many. I call on you to stop the move with immediate effect.”
Carl Pophaim, Mayco member for human settlements, confirmed the relocation will take place.
Asked what formal plans the City has in respect of the relocation, he said the City would provide “approximately 105 households with an Alternative Building Technologies (ABT) development with one-on-one serviced plots, and enhanced basic services in an Incremental Development Area in the Maitland area.”
