GOOD Press Statement by Suzette Little
GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor & Caucus Chairperson
31 October 2024
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis speaks eloquently of a caring government, but instead his speech today exposes his administration as being one of the most cynical administrations that this City has ever seen.
Safety and Security of Cape Town’s communities
The City of Cape Town continues to tie itself into knots. On the one hand, the Mayor lauds the value of expensive innovations like ShotSpotter.
Indulging JP Smith’s voyeurism masquerading as safety and security via drones and listening devices is not the answer.
By the Mayor’s own admission, it was the information of a community member that led to the arrest of a suspect, not the tech.
It is a cynical ploy for political gain that temporary measures over the festive season are being planned ahead of a by-election in Manenberg.
As usual when it comes to violence and poverty, the City is last in and first out at the scene where urgent structural interventions are needed.
The electioneering pop-up shop strategy will see the crime-ravaged communities pay the price for the DA politics.
Land matters
The City works very hard to accommodate landlords and developers. In a packed agenda of 83 items, 28 of which are focused on property — a trend that has persisted since January 2022.
Crucial sites like Pickwick and the Salt River Market remain undeveloped, with no clarity on when housing construction will begin.
Even the Mayor has acknowledged that the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA) currently lacks funding, raising serious questions:
- Who is financing the social housing units currently in development?
- Are these projects benefiting from a beneficiary subsidy, and who ultimately bears the financial burden?
Despite land releases, we’ve yet to see new developments—only old projects approved years ago.
Some land earmarked for such development lies vacant and neglected, as is the case with Pickwick in Woodstock.
When the DA councillor Francine Hugham agreed to the sale of the property in Maynard Street, it was on the basis that it is only 200sqm, not understanding that a family was evicted and this was once someone’s home for many years, now having to make away for someone who can afford the market related price. Clearly, the old apartheid thinking still remains, and restitution but a word used at dinner parties.
Thankfully, there are a few bright spots.
GOOD welcomes the public participation process for the development of mixed-use housing at the King David Golf Club in Mowbray, even though our motion to have a policy developed for public participation was deferred by the city manager.
This is a step in the right direction, and we urge the City to initiate such projects in the city centre, and include the citizens of Cape Town in their decision making.
Public land must be used for public good, not the entrenchment of apartheid spatial planning.
The Bellville Velodrome sale
The GOOD Party urges the City of Cape Town to fulfil its commitment to restore the Bellville Velodrome, a major but neglected arena.
Despite its historical significance, the facility remains in disrepair.
Following a lengthy legal battle, which saw the termination of a 30-year lease agreement, the city budgeted R8.3 million in 2023/24.
And a further R17.5 million in 2024/25.
But only R3.3 million was spent, with the remaining funds reallocated.
A full restoration is estimated to cost R300 million, but despite a R1.9 billion capital underspend in 2024, the city has no additional upgrade plans for this public asset
Media Enquiries:
Suzette Little, GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor & Caucus Chairperson
Cell: 073 321 5036
Email: suzettel@forgood.org.za
Samantha Jackson, GOOD: Media Manager
Cell: 083 5509875
Email: samantha@forgood.org.za