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STATEMENT BY MAYORAL COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY, ALDERMAN JP SMITH

Rhode's Memorial Fire.

All efforts remain focused on active firefighting for the moment, although the fire is hard to reach in places and we hope that aerial firefighting support can be deployed to douse the flames before it reaches the urban edge.However, the wind could impact on this deployment.For the moment, there are some precautionary evacuations taking place in Vredehoek, but no other evacuations were necessary overnight.We commend the firefighters, Disaster Risk Management staff and volunteers, the enforcement staff and every other agency and individual who have played a role in the efforts to contain the fire, and continue to do so.We would also like to thank the public for opening their hearts and wallets to the firefighters, but also the students who were evacuated by UCT.There has been property damage, details of which are in the public domain, but the City will do a full assessment once the fire is under control. Thus far, two City firefighters have been injured and we wish them a speedy recovery.There is a lot of speculation currently about additional fires that were started, and whether the original fire was an act of arson.This will form part of investigations, but the City can confirm that one suspect in his thirties was taken into custody last night in the vicinity of Devil’s Peak.He was spotted by a resident, who tracked him down with the help of his sons and the family’s dogs. The matter is with SAPS for investigation and further details will follow as they become available. For now, the focus is on bringing the fire under control and we appeal to the public to assist the authorities by following instructions in respect of evacuations where necessary, staying away from the active firefighting scenes so that firefighters can focus on the job at hand, and by reporting any information that may be relevant to the investigations into this incident.

2021-04-18T22:00:00Z

City's winter preparedness efforts under way in Delft

The focus this year is clearing out the stormwater systems, which includes the cleaning of gullies; catch pits; pipes and ponds, especially in flood prone areas

‘The focus this year is clearing out the stormwater systems, which includes the cleaning of gullies; catch pits; pipes and ponds, especially in flood prone areas. Our Roads and Infrastructure depots across the city are also in the process of increasing their capacity by engaging additional labour in the form of EPWP workers to assist in reaching as many of these areas ahead of the heavy rains,’ says the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Alderman Felicity Purchase. The Roads and Infrastructure teams use a combination of hand cleaning and mechanical cleaning and are targeting the worst affected areas where there is extensive illegal dumping and blocking of drains occurring, first. ‘We urge that residents keep the drains and channels in front of their homes clear where possible, especially in sandy and leafy areas. Just doing this will greatly assist our teams on the ground. The public should continue to report cases of blocked drains by calling the 24-hour call centre and very importantly report any illegal dumping they may witness,’ says Alderman Purchase. The City encourages residents to please continue reporting these via the following channels: • Phone the Transport Information Centre on 080 065 6463. This is a 24/7 information centre; • Send an email to <a href="mailto:Transport.Info@capetown.gov.za">Transport.Info@capetown.gov.za</a>; or • Call the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089 to report flooding, blocked drains and service disruptions. Residents are reminded to include their name, contact number and the exact location, area and street name, as well as to reference a landmark if possible. These details help us deliver services efficiently, and promptly.

2021-04-18T22:00:00Z

Have your say on proposal: revised approach to domestic water metering

The Water and Sanitation Department is proposing that, from July 2021, the City no longer installs new water management device meters (WMDs),

The Water and Sanitation Department is proposing that, from July 2021, the City no longer installs new water management device meters (WMDs), and that WMDs currently in service be replaced by the conventional meters with the latest metering technology as they reach the end of their expected lifespan. As a result, the City’s approach to managing water usage in indigent households will also change. It is proposed that usage limits that have been programmed into WMDs throughout the city will be systematically removed from 1 July 2021.In place of volume-restricted WMDs at registered indigent properties, the City is proposing an alternative water management approach, in which customers take responsibility for using less than a maximum limit set by the City.This approach forms part of proposed changes to the Tariff Policy as per the 2021/22 Tabled Budget.<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse;"><tbody><tr><td width="1318" valign="top" style="padding:0px 5.4pt;border:1pt solid windowtext;width:791.35pt;background-color:#e7e6e6;"><div align="center" style="margin:0px;text-align:center;">Proposal for customers who qualify for indigent benefits</div></td></tr><tr><td width="1318" valign="top" style="border-width:1pt;border-style:none solid solid;border-color:windowtext;padding:0px 5.4pt;width:791.35pt;"><div style="text-indent:-18pt;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:38.5pt;">· Existing WMD meters will be set to ‘open flow’, over time with effect from 1 July 2021. It will not happen immediately for all meters and will be done in phases. However, these customers will now be required to keep their monthly water use within a limit approved by Council. (15 000 litres or 15kl a month is the current proposal).</div><div style="margin:0px;"> </div><div style="margin:14pt 0px 0px 38.5pt;text-indent:-18pt;">· Water and sanitation will be provided at no charge, but water usage on the property may not be more than the water volume limit as set by Council. As leaks on private plumbing will be counted by the meter as part of usage, property owners must act quickly to fix leaks. Households should check their monthly bills for any continuous spikes in monthly usage as a means to check for underground leaks in particular. (The City will still assist with once-off fixing of leaks on the indigent property where this has not been provided previously).</div><div style="margin:0px;"> </div><div style="margin:14pt 0px 0px 38.5pt;text-indent:-18pt;">· If water usage on the residential property is higher than the Council-approved limit for two consecutive months, a warning letter will be sent asking for the usage to be lowered to required levels by the following month.</div><div style="margin:0px;"> </div><div style="margin:14pt 0px 0px 38.5pt;text-indent:-18pt;">· If usage is higher than the approved limit for a third consecutive month, despite the issued warning, then a flow restricting disc will be inserted in the meter to limit water supply to a trickle flow.</div><div style="margin:0px;"> </div><div style="margin:14pt 0px 0px 38.5pt;text-indent:-18pt;">· These discs are designed to allow 6 000 litres (6kl) per month to the property which is aligned with the free basic allocation provided for in South Africa’s national water standards. This disc will remain in place for the following 12 consecutive months. After the 12-month period has passed, the disc will be removed and the same process for the property will start again. </div><div style="margin:0px;"> </div></td></tr><tr height="24" style="height:14.8pt;"><td width="1318" valign="top" style="border-width:1pt;border-style:none solid solid;border-color:windowtext;padding:0px 5.4pt;width:791.35pt;height:14.8pt;background-color:#e7e6e6;"><div align="center" style="margin:0px;text-align:center;">Proposal for customers who do not qualify for indigent benefits</div></td></tr><tr height="27" style="height:16.6pt;"><td width="1318" valign="top" style="border-width:1pt;border-style:none solid solid;border-color:windowtext;padding:0px 5.4pt;width:791.35pt;height:16.6pt;"><div style="text-indent:-18pt;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:36pt;">· Non-indigent customers whose accounts are in arrears for non-payment of municipal-related services will have their water supply restricted or reduced to a trickle flow using a flow-restricting disc, if they do not settle their account in full or enter into an agreed payment arrangement in response to the debt management warning letters. This is the same as the current debt management procedure as per the City’s Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy and By-law.</div></td></tr></tbody></table> <div style="margin:0px;">Reasons for the review of metering approach:</div><div style="margin:0px;">The City is committed to achieving the objectives set out in the Water Strategy. This includes the ‘wise use of water’ by all water users and managing the water network to reduce losses. </div><div style="margin:0px;"> </div><div style="margin:0px;">The City will continue to support registered indigent residents through monthly water allocation at no charge, while promoting active management of that allocation. </div><div style="margin:0px;"> </div><div style="margin:0px;">‘Since WMDs were first used by the City about 15 years ago, they have played an important role in bringing water usage down to more sustainable levels, and helping residents be more conscious of how much water they use.</div><div style="margin:0px;"> </div><div style="margin:0px;">‘WMDs were also installed in the drought crisis to restrict excessive use by non-compliant customers.</div><div style="margin:0px;"> </div><div style="margin:0px;">‘Since WMDs were introduced, Cape Town has experienced both a severe drought and a year-long pandemic with lockdowns. These factors have significantly impacted our residents, our relationship with water and our economic situation.</div><div style="margin:0px;"> </div><div style="margin:0px;">‘Taking into account the current economic pressure on residents that has been created by Covid-19 lockdowns; current urbanisation trends and growth of backyard tenants; and increasingly crowded conditions in many communities, the City is proposing to adapt our domestic metering approach to ensure a better balance between financial sustainability and ensuring adequate access to water for our most vulnerable residents.</div><div style="margin:0px;"> </div><div style="margin:0px;">‘It is proposed that the volume of water provided to qualifying indigent households be increased, and that they be given the opportunity to independently manage their monthly water usage, and play an active role in the collective effort to avoid wastage and maintain a sustainable level of water use.</div><div style="margin:0px;"> </div><div style="margin:0px;">‘In addition, residents on average are now using far less water than before the drought crisis, and there are new water supply schemes coming online (as per the City’s Water Strategy) that will protect this city better against possible future droughts that are likely to occur as a result of climate change. </div><div style="margin:0px;"> </div><div style="margin:0px;">‘We believe that we have reached a point where residents, as our partners in water management, are entrusted with keeping their water usage within reasonable levels. The City, however, will continue to monitor and take steps to prevent excessive use, as outlined above.</div><div style="margin:0px;"> </div><div style="margin:0px;">‘We encourage members of the public to submit their comments on the budget proposals using the available channels,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Waste, Alderman Xanthea Limberg. </div><div style="margin:0px;"> </div><div style="margin:0px;">Public participation: comment by 3 May 2021 </div><div style="margin:0px;">Covid-19 has an impact on the public participation process. </div><div style="margin:0px;"> </div><div style="margin:0px;">To view the Tabled Budget please visit: <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/budget" target="_blank">www.capetown.gov.za/budget</a> or go to your nearest subcouncil office or library for a copy of the budget. </div><div style="margin:0px;"> </div><div style="margin:0px;">Community-based organisation (CBO) representatives may contact their subcouncil managers for further details on their respective area-based community meetings.</div><div style="margin:0px;"> </div><div style="margin:0px;">Written comments</div><div style="margin:0px;">By email: <a target="_blank">Budget.Comments@capetown.gov.za</a></div><div style="margin:0px;">Through your Ward Councillor / Subcouncil offices</div><div style="margin:0px;"> </div><div style="margin:0px;">Verbal inputs</div><div style="margin:0px;">Phone: 0800 212 176</div><div style="margin:0px;"> </div><div style="margin:0px;">For assistance to comment in English, Afrikaans or isiXhosa, please phone 0800 212 176</div><div style="margin:0px;"> </div><div style="margin:0px;">Visit <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/HaveYourSay" target="_blank">www.capetown.gov.za/HaveYourSay</a> for more information. </div><div style="margin:0px;"> </div>

2021-04-18T22:00:00Z

City geared for attracting investment and job creation

Since the City’s expanded investment incentive scheme was adopted in November 2019, I have been keeping Capetonians informed of the take up of these incentives. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/GearedInvestment1.jpg" alt="" style="width:877px;" /> </figure>These incentives are a concrete way the City is working to ensure Cape Town remains regionally and globally competitive, more especially as we drive our economic recovery post the Covid-19 pandemic. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/GearedInvestment.jpg" alt="" style="width:1044px;" /> </figure>Even through the trying times of the national lockdown and faltering economic performance, businesses in Cape Town kept on doing what they do best, as much as they could. It is essential that as a well-run, opportunity City we do our best to match their efforts. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"> <img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre/GearedInvestment2.jpg" alt="" style="width:1069px;" /> </figure>The City offers both financial and non-financial incentives to domestic and international businesses investing in the City for the first time or expanding their existing operations and creating new jobs.<ul><li>Financial incentives include: building plan and land use application fee waiver; development contribution deferral and write off up to R1 million; and a special electricity tariff for large power users.</li><li>Non-financial incentives include: prioritised single-point investment facilitation; building plan and land use application fast-tracking; and the fast tracking of occupancy certificates.</li></ul>I am delighted to confirm that from the 2018 financial year to date, the City’s Investment Facilitation Unit has supported 18 confirmed investments to the total value of R1,486 billon resulting in 1190 potential jobs.In the second quarter of 2020/21 (October to December 2020), the Unit was involved in 70 engagements as part of the single point investment facilitation service with 14 different investors interested in starting an operation or expanding in Cape Town.These investors spanned a wide range of activities from renewable energy, manufacturing, construction materials, agri-processing and information technology.Additionally, five companies benefit from the electricity incentive tariff – three in Atlantis and two in other areas of Cape Town.It was particularly encouraging for me to receive feedback from the City’s Investment Facilitation team that bidders were putting together gas-to-power applications as part of the national Department of Energy’s Emergency Power Procurement Programme. Such investment will go a long way to shielding our manufacturing sector and protecting jobs which may be lost as a result of load-shedding.It is clear that while the pandemic has affected economic activity, many commercial entities are taking a long view and have simply delayed rather than cancelled their investment plans.That said, we will continue to put plans in place to ensure Cape Town’s economic readiness. Cape Town’s investment offering remains a compelling one from a business, service delivery and lifestyle point of view.<ul><li>The Invest Cape Town team offers a number of customised services, free of charge. Email: <a href="mailto:info@investcapetown.com">info@investcapetown.com</a> or visit <a href="http://www.investcapetown.com/">www.investcapetown.com</a> for more information.</li><li>If you are an SMME wanting to grow, or wanting to start a business, The Business Hub can help with any part of the process, including connecting you with business partners, funders, support organisations or City departments. The hub can be contacted on <a href="mailto:business.support@capetown.gov.za">business.support@capetown.gov.za</a> </li></ul> End

2021-04-18T22:00:00Z

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