This afternoon I addressed a march led by the Vrygrond Development Forum on the steps of the Civic Centre.

I have met with the development forum on three previous occasions over the last two months to discuss service delivery concerns they have raised.

Councillors and City of Cape Town officials have also been present in those meetings to speak about projects for Vrygrond as well as interventions planned for the area.

Officials from my office also made a site visit to Vrygrond in May accompanied by the forum, which was the fourth engagement we had with the leadership forum. This visit was made to show the Vrygrond leadership three pieces of land which could be developed for the benefit of the people of Vrygrond. 

This proposal was rejected by the forum.

We also commissioned a survey to establish the number of backyarders in the area and, with the assistance of the forum, the City employed Vrygrond residents as part of the EPWP programme to conduct the study.

The City has made it clear during these meetings and through correspondence with the forum that the land which was invaded is near an active landfill site. 

The forum wants the City to allow residents to settle on the buffer zone which is there to keep a safe distance between the residential area and the landfill site.

The landfill site poses potential risks to human beings close to it due to the gas being extracted there.

We have during these meetings proposed tests to determine whether the buffer zone could be extended.

It has also been communicated to the leadership forum that the process to de-proclaim the buffer zone falls under the ambit of the national and provincial governments.    

I have repeatedly told the forum that I’m willing to have further discussions with them and walk with them every step of the way as I have done with residents from other communities.

The door to my office is always open to communities who want to continue constructive engagement with the City of Cape Town.

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