Electricity theft and vandalism is a major problem in some areas of the city, including Mitchells Plain and Area South. The City is taking a proactive approach to combatting these issues, with initiatives such as the “Let’s ACT Protect Your Power” campaign and increased security measures. The City is also making material changes to infrastructure, such as using aluminium instead of copper and implementing underground cabling. Through community collaboration and joint action, the City aims to transform these areas into safe, empowered communities.
A New Dawn: Woodlands, MPlain’s Public Housing Revolution Invites R1,2 Billion Investment
The city of Woodlands in Mitchells Plain is undergoing a public housing revolution, with an investment of R1.2 billion over the next three years aimed at revitalizing public housing upkeep and refurbishments. Councillor Carl Pophaim has formulated a strategy to combat rampant vandalism in public housing units, encouraging tenants to report any acts of vandalism and allocating more teams to emergency tasks. This investment is about more than just replacing staircases; it signifies progress towards a future of safety, dignity, and community unity.
One of the notable incidents occurred at Parkfields Primary School, where thieves forcefully removed the locks from the bathroom doors and stole basins, chrome taps, and pipes from three separate restrooms. According to Bronagh Hammond, spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), the school has security personnel but on an irregular basis. An evaluation of security requirements will be carried out in response to this incident.
The Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, Dr. Blade Nzimande, has spoken out against the recent incidents of arson and vandalism at the University of Forth Hare Alice Campus. The destruction caused by the malicious acts included significant damage to the university’s property, specifically the foyer of the Indoor Sports Centre.