City puts up fence next to Morningstar housing project

The City has built a fence between Langeberg Road and Keilstert Street near the Morningstar housing development.

The 140 metre-long fence cost R475 000 and took two weeks to put up, according to the City.

The fence was for the safety of the housing development residents, said Ward 112 councillor and mayoral committee member for corporate services Theresa Uys.

“Fencing was not part of the original housing development. However, I motivated for one after observing the safety risks associated with living next to the busy Langeberg Road,” she said.

Ward 112 encompasses Durbanville, Morningstar, D’urbanvale, Goedemoed, Rosedale, Pinehurst (west of Brackenfell Boulevard), Langeberg Village and Durbanville Meadows.

Ms Uys mentioned the fence last November when she outlined her goals for the ward shortly after being voted in for a third term of office (”DA wins Ward 112 but voters unhappy about crime and housing, Northern News, November 2021).

“Our first priorities will be commencing work on the Durbanville public transport interchange, the Durbanville sport precinct as well as the fence on Langeberg Road and addressing the concerns regarding the street people,” she said at the time.

However, according to Goedemoed resident Wendy Herbig, residents are still waiting for their concerns about street people to be addressed.

“Residents are up in arms about the squatters all over Durbanville but the City does nothing but make excuses. Virtually every street corner now has squatters. It is going to become explosive soon with the high rates and taxes that Durbanville residents are paying,” she said.

Asked how it would deal with this ongoing issue, the City said: “The City’s Streets By-law does not circumvent the need for a court order where a structure is considered a dwelling under the Prevention of Illegal Eviction and Unauthorised Occupation of Land (PIE) Act. In those instances, the City will acquire the necessary court order, and ensure alternative accommodation at shelters or safe spaces has been offered, where this is just and equitable.”

The City said: “Public places serve important social, community and economic purposes, and must be open and available to all. No person has the right to reserve a public space as exclusively theirs, while indefinitely refusing all offers of shelter and social assistance.”

Morningstar Development and Upliftment Initiative chairman Zane Williams did not respond to questions by deadline.