City invests millions to safeguard public facilities

24 August 2025

The Community Services and Health Directorate is responsible for more than 8 000 properties, including parks, cemeteries, clinics, libraries and premises leased to Early Childhood Development Centres. In a bid to safeguard the facilities, staff and the public, the Directorate is investing hundreds of millions of rand each year for on-site security and the hardening of facilities. Read more below:

The Community Services and Health Directorate comprises four departments: City Health; Community, Arts and Culture Development; Library and Information Services and Recreation and Parks.

Among the public facilities managed by these departments are, by number:

3 556 public parks
206 community centres/recreation hubs
164 sports grounds
101 libraries
91 clinics, including satellite and mobile facilities
72 coastal nodes (beaches)
40 cemeteries
39 premises leased by Early Childhood Development Centres
38 swimming pools

'We are under immense pressure to keep all of these facilities functioning and in good condition. Apart from regular, planned maintenance to address wear and tear, we face daily challenges of illegal dumping, theft and vandalism, as witnessed recently at the Lwandle Library when it was vandalised twice in one week. There is also the very real impact of violent crime on operations, from gun violence to attacks on facilities and incidents of hijacking, which regularly forces the closure of City facilities for the safety of staff and patrons. The security budget and upgrades need to be viewed in the context of these challenges, but also the sheer number of facilities in the Directorate that require safeguarding,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.

In the previous 12-month cycle, the Directorate spent R25,1 million on fencing repairs and maintenance. In addition, capital expenditure for new fencing and security upgrades totaled nearly R10 million. This included fencing, access control gates, alarm systems, roller shutter doors and the installation of bulletproof windows at facilities like Leonsdale and Gugulethu Clinics.

A similar amount has been budgeted for this financial year, along with R389 million in operational budget for day-to-day security services.

'We’re investing in the safety of our clinics, libraries, parks and other facilities to ensure they remain open and accessible for generations to come. With thousands of public spaces to protect, we rely on strong partnerships with communities to prevent theft and vandalism. Let’s work together to protect what’s ours. Facilities with active community involvement and ownership experience fewer security breaches and setbacks, so I call on everyone to lend a hand in looking after their particular community assets. Report damages or suspicious activity as soon as possible, and speak out against the few who put entire communities at a disadvantage with their selfish acts of vandalism and theft,’ added Councillor Higham

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office