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As the dust settled on Wynberg’s Hill following the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s (Prasa’s) controversial “clean-up operation” over the weekend of 24 February, so did those scattered by the eviction go on to settle on other spots in the area.
This was maintained by Ward 63 councillor Carmen Siebritz as she indicated that “those evicted are scattered across Wynberg and are just settling anywhere and everywhere”.
As confirmed by Wynberg police spokesperson Capt Silvino Davids, criminal activities and environmental issues affecting the community and businesses, more specifically the Yusufeyyah Masjid, contributed to the action imposed by Prasa in February.
Reports from Wynberg suggested violence initially sparked a rigid response by the railway agency, to which Davids confirmed: “Indeed there was a stabbing that occurred on Friday 23 February where a male person, who is alleged to be a gang member, was stabbed at the taxi rank in Wynberg.”
He continued that the suspects arrested concerning the stabbing were indeed occupants on the Hill, “which was occupied illegally”.
“Drug abuse [was] the most prominent among the dwellers on the Hill. The dwellers themselves occupied other areas in Wynberg.
“The action led by Prasa over the weekend of 24 February had an effect in that there are less illegal activities happening there,” Davids added.
These circumstances currently force law enforcement, the police, private security, block watches and neighbourhood watches to do additional patrols during the day and night, “not knowing where the street people have settled”.
Locations where street people have recently settled, as far as is known at this time, are Broad Close, Belpar Road Park, Mitcham Road Subway, Prasa Open Spaces and Railway line, situated opposite homes, and Castletown Road, as far down as South Road.
“Complaints from residents in Mitcham Road have certainly become more frequent,” added Siebtritz.
She argues that Prasa should have thought before acting “illegally”, as “Wynberg East residents, particularly those in Broad Close, Broad Road and Mitcham Road, are being adversely affected.
Residents in these particular pockets indicate that they feel unsafe and are fearful.”
The mosque on the Hill
The secretary of the Yusufeyyah Masjid and chair of the Wynberg East Civic Association Yunus Karriem argued that since there are no longer inhabitants on the Hill next to the mosque, “it has been a much better experience for those at the mosque and surrounds.
“We really appreciate that Prasa made their presence felt[...] I think the residents of Wynberg and the Civic Association along with Prasa has done something great in terms of eliminating criminal threats that were emanating from the Hill.”
He continued to refer back to the root cause of the illegal settling in parts of Wynberg dating back to 2020 when the City of Cape Town relocated homeless people from the Strandfontein camp.
Karriem raised this rhetorical question: “What should the City have done when they closed the Strandfontein camp?”
“Logically,” he answered, “they should’ve taken each and everyone back to where they picked them up or the City should have accommodated them into safe spaces directly... Why drop them in Wynberg?”
The City of Cape Town responded to questions about the ongoing saga, pointing out that the City was not part of the Prasa operation at the site known as “the Hill” in Wynberg in February.
“In terms of complaints and/or actions in respect of displaced persons, the City conducts ongoing interventions in areas that have experienced an upsurge in persons living on the street, or informality, including Wynberg. Area law enforcement staff conduct patrols and respond to complaints, where resources allow.”
Due to the many competing demands on enforcement staff, the City added, it is not possible to maintain a static presence and reiterated that law enforcement officers can only enforce the City’s by-laws.
Karriem believes the City still has a role to play to provide safe places for street people. “Especially, Social Development still has a role to play to address relative social ills and get the people off the street.”
In this regard, the City responded, saying: “The social development and early childhood development department’s street people programme unit visits the area frequently to offer assistance to individuals, including a move to shelter, reintegration with their families/communities or access to other social services. These offers are voluntary, and no person can be forced to accept assistance.”
Prasa’s response post-operation
In response to questions by People’s Post following the chaos that erupted in Wynberg at the end of February, Prasa maintained the same statement released on Tuesday 27 February.
“Understanding the diverse challenges faced by those residing on ‘The Hill’, including the rise in criminal activities that have unfortunately become associated with the area, Prasa’s Protection Services have approached this matter with a commitment to commuter and community safety[...] We are intensifying security measures and continuing to work closely with local stakeholders to prevent future encroachments and to maintain the safety of the area. Our commitment to monitoring and securing the railway reserve area remains unwavering.”
