| Problems with national system slows down City licensing services | The City regrets delays and extended queues and waiting times at our vehicle licensing offices, and apologises to vehicle owners | <p></p><p>The City regrets delays and extended queues and waiting times at our vehicle licensing offices, and apologises to vehicle owners. We ask for their understanding while the national authority in charge of the NaTIS, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) resolves the problems. It is outside of the City’s control, but we are working with the service provider to see to it that problems are resolved as soon as possible when they occur. </p><p>The City also has not been provided with adequate numbers of NaTIS terminals by the RTMC to service the 1,3 million registered vehicles in Cape Town. The City is ready to expand its vehicle licensing offices but is unable to do so until it receives additional terminals from the RTMC. As a result, our staff are having to work after hours and over weekends to process the large volumes of vehicle registrations and renewals.</p><p>We have been informed that additional terminals have become available and we hope that we will receive these in the not too distant future.</p><p>Please consider using the City’s e-Services for licensing and please note there are high transaction volumes due to the COVID-19 country-wide backlogs. For planning purposes, factor in approximately three weeks from application to receipt of the license through the Post Office. </p><p>Also note, the COVID-19 resurgence could impact operations again going forward. The City will communicate further in due course. </p><p><strong>For vehicle licensing: </strong></p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">To register for e-Services visit: <a href="https://eservices.capetown.gov.za/irj/portal">https://eservices.capetown.gov.za/irj/portal</a></div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">For motor vehicle registration and licensing assistance: <a href="mailto:Vehicle.Licence@capetown.gov.za" target="_blank">Vehicle.Licence@capetown.gov.za</a></div></li></ul><p><strong>Customers are reminded of the following National Transport regulations (note fines are nationally determined, the City may not unilaterally write off fines):</strong></p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Discs that expired on 31 October 2020: should have been renewed by 23 November 2020</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Discs that expired on 30 November 2020: renew by 22 December 2020</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Discs that expire on 31 December 2020: renew by 22 January 2021</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Motor trade vehicle numbers/trade plates: should have been renewed by 30 November 2020 </div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Driver’s and learner’s licenses: renew by 31 January 2021 (these are for licenses that were up for renewal between 26 March, and 31 August 2020) </div></li></ul><p><br><strong>End</strong><br> <br></p> | 2020-12-02T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| What residents need to know about refuse collection, City drop-off facilities and ‘Christmas boxes’ over the festive season | The City of Cape Town’s Solid Waste Department encourages residents to note the operating times for refuse collections and the City’s drop-offs facilities for December 2020 and January 2021 | <p></p><p><strong>Refuse collection </strong></p><p>Refuse will be collected on public holidays that fall on a week day. As such, refuse will be collected as scheduled on the following public holidays in December 2020 and January 2021:</p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Day of Reconciliation: Wednesday, 16 December 2020</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Christmas Day: Friday, 25 December 2020</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">New Year’s Day: Friday, 1 January 2021 </div></li></ul><p>Residents must please ensure that their bins are placed out for servicing on time as the reduction in traffic typically experienced over this period means crews travel quickly on their respective routes. Please place bins out by 06:00. </p><p>Drop-off facilities</p><p>Residents are encouraged to make use of the City’s drop-off facilities to dispose of their recyclables, garage waste, garden greens and other accepted materials. <br>A detailed list of drop-off facilities, their locations, general operating times and the kinds of materials accepted can be found here. <br>Drop-off facilities will operate as per the below on the following days over the festive season: <br></p><table width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-default" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:50%;"><strong>DATE</strong></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:50%;"><strong>OPERATING HOURS</strong></td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default"><p><strong>Wednesday, 16 December 2020</strong></p><p>Day of Reconciliation</p></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default"><p>As per <strong>Saturday</strong> times.</p><p>See the link: <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/COVID-19_Waste_Disposal_dropoffs_%20Arrangements_Notice.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>here</strong></span></a></p></td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default"><p><strong>Thursday, 24 December 2020</strong></p><p>Christmas Eve</p></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">08:00 to 16:30</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default"><p><strong>Friday, 25 December 2020</strong></p><p>Christmas Day</p></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default"><strong>Closed</strong></td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default"><p><strong>Thursday, 31 December 2020</strong></p><p>New Year's Eve</p></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">08:00 to 16:30</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default"><p><strong>Friday, 1 January 2021</strong></p><p>New Year's Day</p></td><td class="ms-rteTable-default"><strong>Closed</strong></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Residents visiting the City’s drop-off facilities are asked to adhere to COVID-19 protocols at all times.</p><p>A strict ‘no mask, no entry’ rule applies at all City facilities. All visitors to our disposal facilities will be subjected to screening.</p><p><strong>‘Christmas boxes’ and donations</strong><br>Residents are reminded that they are under no obligation to give cash donations or ‘Christmas boxes’ to the City’s Solid Waste Management staff and contractors.<br><br>The City of Cape Town has a policy in place which prohibits staff and contractors from soliciting ‘Christmas boxes’, or money from residents. However, residents are welcome to give a voluntary cash donation or a box of goodies.<br><br>‘As essential workers, our refuse collection teams have worked extremely hard this year, which is so greatly appreciated. Staff have, however, been reminded that soliciting for ‘Christmas boxes’ and donations is prohibited. Should residents wish to reward good service, they are of course free to do so voluntarily as a gesture of goodwill and appreciation. However, under no circumstances should residents feel compelled to do so,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste, Alderman Xanthea Limberg.<br><br>Residents can report workers who request ‘Christmas boxes’ or donations to the Call Centre on 0860 103 089 during office hours, from 08:00 – 16:30. <br><br>In addition to the date, the time and place of the incident, a vehicle registration number should be provided so that these staff members can be identified. Residents can also send an email to <a href="mailto:Wastewise.User@capetown.gov.za">Wastewise.User@capetown.gov.za</a>. <br><br>Such reports will be investigated immediately and, where residents are willing to testify, the City will be able to take appropriate disciplinary action. In order to investigate such a report, we will need at least the vehicle registration number.<br>Residents should also be aware that certain opportunists attempt to pose as collections staff at this time of year. If residents suspect that the people who approach them are misrepresenting themselves, the matter should be reported to the South African Police Service.<br><br><strong>Logging service requests:</strong></p><p><strong>Residents are encouraged to submit service requests for Solid Waste Management using the following channels: </strong></p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">Call Center: 0860 103 089 </div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Online: <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests/" target="_blank">www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests/</a> </div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">Email: <a href="mailto:Wastewise@capetown.gov.za" target="_blank">Wastewise@capetown.gov.za</a></div></li></ul><p><br><strong>End</strong></p> | 2020-12-02T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Cape Town Mayor reflects on the highs and lows of 2020; looks ahead to new year | Colleagues, fellow councillors, members of the public, and media, good morning, and welcome to this last council session for 2020. | <p></p><span><p>Colleagues, fellow councillors, members of the public, and media, good morning, and welcome to this last council session for 2020. </p><p>Before we start today I would like to send my condolences to the family, friends, loved ones and all the fans on the passing of local Bafana Bafana star Anele Ngcongca, as well as City lifeguard, Thokozani Mthethwa, who dedicated his life to helping others. <br></p>
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<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/speech312.jpg" alt="" style="width:948px;" /> </figure></span><span><p><br>Speaker, as we convene this council session for the last time this year, I think it is important to reflect on the unprecedented challenges this City has faced, as well as the many successes that we were still able to celebrate.</p><p>Firstly, I want to applaud all our staff who were acknowledged at this year’s City Awards – you are our ambassadors and I hope that you will continue to lead by example and inspire your colleagues. </p><p>I also want to thank every councillor and city official for their commitment to delivering the best services in the country. This commitment showed in the Auditor General’s report, granting us our 16th consecutive unqualified audit for the 2018/2019 financial year. Many now take these findings for granted, but clean and effective governance does not just happen. It requires hard work and putting the needs of our residents first. </p>
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<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/speech312_3.jpg" alt="" style="width:949px;" /> </figure></span><span></span><span><p>Secondly, I think it is important to mention some of the accolades bestowed on the City of Cape Town this year. According to the latest Ratings Afrika sustainability survey conducted in July 2020, the City of Cape Town is the only metro that strengthened its financial sustainability significantly over the past five years and is the only metro that can be considered sustainable with the capacity to absorb the financial shocks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p>Despite pressure from the impact of COVID-19 on our residents, our economy, and our resources, the City’s financial health continues to reflect favourably which is an indication that the City’s financial resources are appropriately managed. </p><p>The City has significantly lower debt levels than many of the other metros and municipalities in South Africa. This helps to reduce the cost of services to communities as a result of reduced interest and capital charges, and is one of the reasons why our rates increases were among the lowest of all metros this year. </p><p>The City of Cape Town was also acknowledged as the most trusted metro in South Africa according to Consulta’s 2020 Citizen Satisfaction Index, which measures trust and satisfaction by residents in their municipalities. The report notes: ‘Of the eight metros polled, Cape Town has once again emerged as the best performing metro on the overall Citizen Satisfaction for ‘Large Metros’ recording the highest score for the seventh consecutive year.</p>
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<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/speech312_2.jpg" alt="" style="width:1265px;" /> </figure></span><span><p><br>And on top of these acknowledgements of our good and clean governance, our beautiful City was also awarded Best Events and Festival Destination in the World, by the World Travel Awards earlier this week.</p><p>Lastly, all of this happened during one of the most challenging years the world has faced in recent history. The global COVID-19 pandemic has left almost no city untouched and we have had to adapt rapidly to a new way of doing business. </p><p>The City was able to transition the way we deliver services, while developing new approaches that allowed us to continue working when national lockdowns placed severe restraints on everyone. </p><p>Our efforts to find solutions and adapt our way of working was acknowledged by the Institute of Risk Management South Africa (IRMSA) who awarded the City for its COVID-19 Dynamic Operations Framework during their virtual Annual Awards ceremony. The City was recognised and rewarded for the Best Risk Management Initiative within the Local Government sector.</p><p>This is not to say that challenges do not still exist, as the national lockdown placed severe restrictions on many of our staff’s ability to deliver services. One area that was affected quite significantly was our Roads Department, who, under normal circumstances would have had a heavy rainy season to deal with when looking to repair potholes and resurface roads in need of maintenance. </p>
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<img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/speech312_4.jpg" alt="" style="width:948px;" /> </figure></span><p>Compounding one of the heaviest rainy seasons in recent years was the fact that they were not deemed to be essential services by the national government’s lockdown regulations, so they were unable to fix our roads when we needed them most. </p><p>As soon as the levels of lockdown allowed more staff to return to work, we immediately put plans in place to get our teams back on the road without delay. </p><p>I have personally joined many of the teams across our City making sure that all potholes are repaired as quickly as possible. While we still have some way to go, I am sure many residents are already seeing that our roads are once again starting to look as good as they have always been. </p><p>Another challenge we have experienced is the long queues at revenue offices. This is a country-wide problem and is due to the COVID-19 backlogs that were caused by the national COVID-19 lockdown, as well as the national regulations we are required to enforce to protect our staff and customers. </p><p>Despite this, our staff have managed to process approximately one million license renewal and registration applications out of the 1,3 million registered vehicles in Cape Town since June. This would normally be done over a 12-month period. </p><p>Our staff have worked extremely hard to process double the volume of transactions they would usually do under normal conditions. Staff have been redeployed, and officials have been working at night and over weekends to clear the backlog. </p><p>I would like to salute our staff for their hard work and commitment to reducing the COVID-19 backlog, and urge residents to please continue to be patient, adhere to the necessary protocols when visiting our revenue offices, and if possible, try to renew their licences online via e-Services instead of visiting an office, especially now that we are experiencing a COVID-19 resurgence.</p><p>Speaker, while we have been able to put measures in place to deal with many of the unexpected challenges we faced this year, there are some challenges that continue to place a strain on our resources, and which we have effectively been hamstrung from dealing with due to regulatory and political reasons.</p><p>Speaker, I am talking about land invasions. The City of Cape Town is currently facing down a highly-publicised legal charge to dismantle the last lines of defence against land invasion attempts.</p><p>The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), EFF and disingenuous NGO groupings are targeting the ability to protect property during land invasion attempts, arguing that landowners should not have the right to remove incomplete and unoccupied structures without a court order. </p><p>This well-established right – known as counter-spoliation – is currently available to all landowners and regularly mandated by the courts in orders granted for the protection of land from unlawful occupation. </p><p>Last week, the City argued strongly in the High Court that it is both constitutional and essential for all landowners to act swiftly and without the need for a court order when lawfully protecting land during attempted invasions. The PIE Act requirement of a court order applies only to occupied structures, not to empty or half-built ones.</p><p>Urgent action is often required to thwart mostly well-organised land invasion attempts driven by illegal plot-selling, or “shack-farming” as it is known in communities.</p><p>The SAHRC/EFF not only argue for a lengthy and burdensome court determination before a land invasion can be stopped in its tracks, they also want the entire Anti-Land Invasion Unit and related support services declared unconstitutional. </p><p>The SAHRC/EFF are in effect seeking to tie the hands of public and private landowners, to the detriment of all law-abiding citizens. They claim to argue on behalf of the poor. But while we all suffer, it is often vulnerable residents who suffer most from the impact of illegal land occupations.</p><p>Counter-spoliation preserves the rule of law and enables the City to give effect to its constitutional obligations to progressively realise rights under the Constitution. We owe it to future generations to protect land from unlawful occupation. This enables us to plan for the long-term use of land for schools, homes, clinics, transport infrastructure and community facilities. </p><p>I have made no secret of the City’s intent to fight this matter every step of the way in the courts if needs be. We are currently seeking direct access to the SCA to appeal the dangerous interim relief granted, while we oppose the main SAHRC/EFF application in the Western Cape High Court.</p><p>We are grateful for the support of the Western Cape Government – who have joined the High Court matter – and the South African Police Services (SAPS) who have been opposing the SAHRC/EFF application all along. </p><p>Speaker, we will not be deterred by those who seek to undermine the rule of law, and will continue to stand up for our residents who respect the law, just as we are doing by taking the EFF to court for the damages they caused during their recent protest action.</p><p>While addressing these challenges, we continue to focus on rebuilding our economy after the devastating effects of the national coronavirus lockdown. </p><p>We know that this festive season will not be the same as previous years. We have had to accept that the HSBC World Rugby Sevens tournament will not be visiting our City this year as the entire competition was cancelled. </p><p>So let’s get through 2020 and look forward to 2021 as we welcome the British and Irish Lions Rugby tour, and hopefully the return of the World Sevens rugby series too. </p><p>As the World’s best events and festival destination and with Cape Town being approved as a user of the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC), COVID-19 safety stamp, I am sure we will see many conferences, sporting events and exciting festivals next year.</p><p>With the Mayoral Visible Service Delivery Acceleration programme getting underway in communities across the City, many residents will be seeing welcome improvements in terms of urban upgrade over the coming months.<br>Before I close off today, I want to thank each and every councillor here today, all the City officials, in particular our front-line staff, and our many partners, for keeping our City running during one of the toughest years we have ever faced. I also want to send my condolences to everyone who has lost a loved one this year. </p><p>Please be safe over the festive season. Don’t drink and drive, it just isn’t worth it. And with the coronavirus still infecting many vulnerable residents, please play your part to limit the spread and observe the COVID-19 regulations.</p><p>Speaker, may next year be a better year for all of us. </p><p>Thank you </p><p>Caption: Mayor Plato engaging with the public and conducting service delivery oversight visits in recent weeks</p><p style="text-align:left;"><br>End<br></p><span></span><span></span> | 2020-12-02T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
| Council approves City’s revised Parking Policy | The policy applies to on-street parking and off-street parking, as well as park-and-ride facilities, loading bays, bus bays, parking permits, reserved parking, and parking for bicycles, and motorbikes; and addresses the provision for e-hailing services | <p>The policy applies to on-street parking and off-street parking, as well as park-and-ride facilities, loading bays, bus bays, parking permits, reserved parking, and parking for bicycles, and motorbikes; and addresses the provision for e-hailing services. This includes all aspects related to parking, whether it is provided by the private or public sector.<br> <br>The revised Parking Policy replaces the policy that stemmed from 2014, and sets the scene for the City to adapt to new technologies and services. For example, over the past decade we have seen the emergence of new transport modes such as e-hailing and electric vehicles.</p><p>‘E-hailing is now an integral part of Cape Town’s public transport offering. The policy prescribes the provision of convenient drop-and-go bays in business areas and at private developments for lift clubs, e-hailing cars, or e-hailing delivery motorbikes. It also promotes parking incentives for more sustainable modes of transport such as bicycles, and motorbikes, and addresses new generation mobility such as electric vehicles.</p><p>‘We also want to implement cashless payments for municipal parking, which will make it more convenient for motorists and safer for those who will be managing the parking bays. Given that urban sustainability and resilience are now key to the City’s policies, the revised Parking Policy recognises the need to promote parking that is friendly to the environment in how it is designed and managed, while at the same time reducing congestion,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Alderman Felicity Purchase.</p><p><strong>In terms of on-street parking, the revised policy is pursuing the following: </strong></p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">easier access to on-street parking within central business districts for those who want to park for a short period, including tour buses</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">easier access to designated on-street parking for people with special needs, such as those in wheelchairs</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">investigate a possible discount for those who park for less than 10 or 15 minutes</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">easier access to designated on-street parking bays for delivery vehicles</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">to support economic activity in central business areas by increasing the turnover of parking bays for customers and delivery vehicles</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">to encourage short-stay parking within the core of the CBD and longer stay parking on the periphery of the CBD during business hours</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">payment through a cashless system by using smart cards or mobile phones to improve convenience and accounting</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">for minor parking transgressions to be administered by the contractor who will be contracted to manage on-street parking bays on behalf of the City; and</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">to develop a rationale for the expansion or removal of managed on-street parking as and when needed</div></li></ul><p> <br>‘Further, the policy requires the City to investigate the use of technology to record violations and issue penalties. This is very important as we find that private vehicle owners often park in bays designated for loading vehicles and people with special needs, or that they do not adhere to time limits, or flatly refuse to pay for parking,’ said Alderman Purchase.<br> <br><strong>The policy also proposes new guidelines for parking tariffs:</strong></p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">it makes provision for different parking zones to be demarcated, and for parking tariffs to differ accordingly</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">different tariffs could apply for different times of day, and in high demand recreation areas, over weekends and on public holidays, depending on the outcome of a cost-analysis; and</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">given that motorbikes require less parking space the tariff for using an on-street bay should be lower</div></li></ul><p> <br>All off-street parking in the Cape Town CBD alone occupies more than 1,1 km².<br> <br>‘It is very costly for developers to provide parking as parking surfaces take up precious land that could have been developed. The increased cost in providing parking is ultimately passed on to the buyer or tenant, which reduces the affordability of the units. Parking areas should also support the protection of precious resources such as water, and our environment. The revised policy addresses these issues by proposing the City implements flexible and targeted requirements for the provision of parking bays in future,’ said Alderman Purchase.<br> <br><strong>Ultimately, the policy intends to:</strong></p><ul><li><div style="text-align:left;">support economic activity by ensuring customers and delivery vehicles can find on-street parking</div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">influence when and how commuters travel – with public transport, bicycle, motorbike, or private vehicle; and </div></li><li><div style="text-align:left;">free up valuable land for development. </div></li></ul><p>A data-driven tender will also enable the City to respond timeously to changing environments and circumstances and to adapt managed parking accordingly.<br> <br> <br><strong>End</strong><br></p> | 2020-12-02T22:00:00Z | | | | | | | 1 | | | |
