Stellenbosch Municipality is currently in the process of installing fencing around the Rhode Street flats in Cloetesville, in an effort to safeguard the area.
This is according to Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager for Stellenbosch Municipality.
SMF News visited the municipal flats on Rhode Street in Cloetesville on 12 May, where construction of fencing around the flats was underway to ensure that residents are safe, according to Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager for Stellenbosch Municipality. PHOTO: Christopher Naidoo
“This initiative stems from community requests raised during the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and budget public participation meetings,” said Grobbelaar. “This is where Cloetesville residents expressed a clear need for improved safety around municipal flats, and the municipality responded by prioritising this project.”
Physical construction of the fencing around the Rhode Street flats began on 5 May and is progressing well, according to Grobelaar, who added that the site is nearing completion.
Improving safety
“Crime does occur often in flats around Cloetesville,” said warrant officer Zenobia Sedeman of the Cloetesville South African Police Service (SAPS).
Sedeman said that she believes initiatives like this can improve the safety of residents in Cloetesville.
Stellenbosch Municipality is in the process of erecting fencing around the municipal flats on Rhode Street in Cloetesville, according to Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager for Stellenbosch Municipality. “The decision to erect fencing was community-driven,” said Grobbelaar. “The residents of the municipal flats in Cloetesville specifically requested this intervention to enhance security and control access.” PHOTO: Christopher Naidoo
“We have been wanting the municipality to make these areas safer for years now,” said Danielle Solomon, a resident at the municipal flats in Cloetesville. “We shouldn’t be feeling scared to walk out of our homes at certain times of the day.”
Solomon said that she is glad to see that the municipality is listening to the needs of residents.
Safety in other Stellenbosch communities
“There are plans to extend this initiative to other areas, particularly municipal parks and additional municipal flats, where similar safety concerns have been raised,” said Grobbelaar.
Another area that is being fenced by the municipality is the La Gratitude Park in Ida’s Valley, according to Roy van Rooyen, ward councillor of Ida’s Valley.
“It’s a park where kids go to play,” said Van Rooyen. “But, at nighttime, the drug addicts tend to occupy the park, making it an unsafe area.”
A fence is currently being erected around the municipal flats on Rhode Street in Cloetesville, after residents raised safety concerns at the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and budget public participation meetings, according to Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager for Stellenbosch Municipality. “I don’t think crime will altogether stop here,” said Danielle Solomon, a resident at the municipal flats in Cloetesville. “There is still so much more the municipality can do for us. But I do think that this fencing can help make the crime less. It is a step in the right direction.” PHOTO: Christopher Naidoo