City proposes minor amendments to the By-Law relating to Streets and Public Places
03 November 2024
The public is invited to comment on the proposed amendments by 30 November 2024. Read more below:
The By-Law relating to Streets, Public Places and the Prevention of Noise Nuisances was first introduced in 2007.
It was amended in 2021, and now the Safety and Security Portfolio Committee will oversee the process to introduce additional amendments that will reflect Cape Town's ongoing pioneering strategy of offering dignified transitional shelter to help people off the streets, in partnership with the NPO sector.
By offering social developmental solutions to people living on the streets, the City is successfully ensuring that the personal circumstances of people are not criminalised, and that every effort is made to offer accommodation at a Safe Space or shelter, before approaching the courts for relief.
'The City has developed a safe space model that provides holistic interventions and care to help people off the streets and reintegrate them into society, or reunite them with their families. While this model is one of caring, it is also one that is underpinned by an understanding that persons do not have a right to occupy our public places when they have been offered an alternative in a safe space.
'The proposed amendments to this by-law now better reflect this existing model, which our well-trained officials are already following daily on Cape Town streets as part of the metro's caring approach. It ensures that any legal action taken against persons occupying public spaces, whether that be fines or court sanction, is applied as a means of last resort and only after a person has refused all offers of alternative placement and social services,' said the Chairperson of the Safety and Security Portfolio Committee, Councillor Mzwakhe Nqavashe.
The public participation process started on 1 November and concludes on 30 November 2024.
The draft amendments can be viewed on the 'have your say' section on the City's website, at sub-council offices and City libraries.
Comments can be submitted via:
E-mail at public.places@capetown.gov.za
Written submissions: Attention: Leon Wentzel, Law enforcement Department, 3rd Floor, Tower Block, Civic Centre, 2 Hertzog Boulevard, Cape Town, 8000
Telephonic comments: 021 444 7691 between 08:00 and 16:30 on weekdays.
Website: www.capetown.gov.za/haveyoursay
Contact: public.places@capetown.gov.za for any further information.
The City's Public Participation Unit will assist people who cannot read or write, people living with disabilities and people from disadvantaged groups who are unable to submit written comments, to have their comments or input recorded and submitted to the City.
Contact Anathi Dywili on telephone 021 400 9825 or email anathi.dywili@capetown.gov.za
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
