IT'S a shame to see the state of decline that has hit Bonteheuwel regarding gang violence and more specifically the gang-related shootings over the past couple of months.
In the past one could venture out in the evening with caution, however these days this is not possible. “Slot en grendel” (under lock and key) and lights out early like a prison camp is what has become of our area.
Once the sun sets and the dark creeps in, the blokke becomes quiet and empty with dodgy alleyways, known as the proverbial “gangetjies” lurking with evil.
It’s late night and early mornings that our people who travel to and from work, get robbed in these alleyways, which provide quick access to taxis on main roads and vice versa.
I recently heard a taxi door operator loading from Salt River to Bonteheuwel calling out to customers, “Bulletproof Bonteheuwel.” It has become the norm to hear gunshots once the sun sets. On almost a weekly basis, stories are heard of youngsters being shot and killed and instances where innocent people fall victim to the scourge of violent gang or robbery-related shooting incidents.
Outsiders are too scared to come into our area as Bonteheuwel is known as an unsafe zone.
It is my humble opinion that gangsterism alone is not the total cause of decay in our area, I believe there are contributing factors and such are largely contributed by the Cape Town Municipality.
If an area is not looked after and maintained, then it becomes an eyesore as residents do not possess the required resources to maintain the necessary infrastructure.
Typically, the hill in Bramble Way is used as a dump, the council is never seen to come out and water or cut the grass. Concrete poles along the railway line are broken and removed in order to gain access to the railway area and Kalksteenfontein. At the same time, the railway’s broken exits are used by drug addicts who sit hidden along the train lines and get high.
Many a time the railway security vehicles are seen parked within the railway grounds and nothing is being done to remove trespassers from their premises.
At times the trains would stop before entering Bonteheuwel station, which enables the train to get boarded and innocent fare-paying passengers are robbed and attacked.
The DA won the municipal election in the Western Cape, which brought along a new ward councillor who appears not to be working for the people of Bonteheuwel. If the ward councillor is doing his job, then it appears he is only working within selected areas of our district.
We need a ward councillor who works for the people and with the people – as that is the foundation of democracy. We need a councillor who communicates and understands the plight of the average Bonteheuwel family struggling in our district.
We the people have a right to basic living necessities, which are falling short in Bonteheuwel. If we look at the Langa housing project, we see new flats being erected with solar geysers being supplied. When we look at places like Hanover Park and Ottery, these flats are being revamped.
The simple fact that a council home is being owned by the dweller and not rented from the council is irrelevant with regards to the council's maintenance plans, as these homes are inter-linked. If the house next door has a roof coming off, it affects my roof and my dwelling as well, irrespective of whether I own my property or not and the same applies if a fire should break out.
We the people of Bonteheuwel would like to see change in our community for the better. We would welcome more visible policing, the proper cleaning and maintenance of all our roads, fields, hills, parks and alleyways. Only main roads are swept and cleaned and the back roads are ignored. "No dumping" signs are needed on fields and hills and they need to state that offenders would be prosecuted.
The railway service (Prasa) has to step up its game in closing illegal entry ways and arrest, if necessary, trespassers and those found damaging railway property to gain access to their grounds.
Our ward councillor and the municipality have to step up and play a visible role as almost each dwelling is in need of basic maintenance.
Gangsterism might not be eradicated but the municipality has the necessary resources to bring about relevant changes in our area. We are, after all, ratepaying owners and tenants.
Marching against the gang violence, robberies and deaths in Bonteheuwel is not enough to curb the scourge we are faced with. Let those who have died be remembered, the smallest change could make a difference in saving a life.
Please don't forget our people in Bonteheuwel.