Graffiti a blight on Wynberg landscape complaint No 1
June 15, 2005

By Cindy Mathys

No matter where one lives or how one commutes, one is bound to encounter graffiti.

From neighbourhood walls to trains, electricity boxes and even road signs, graffiti is fast becoming part of the city's landscape.

But while some people pay professional graffiti artists to decorate their walls, many others are left the unfortunate victims of graffiti vandals.

Wynberg residents are complaining that these acts of vandalism are ruining their suburb, where graffiti can be seen on walls, at intersections, on road signs and electricity boxes.

They want to know whose responsibility it is to clean up, and what is being done to eradicate the problem.


The solution

The city's media liaison officer, Charles Cooper, responded: Graffiti on council-owned facilities can be logged at any of the City's call centres as listed in the telephone directory. The various directorates will ensure that their facilities defaced by graffiti are cleaned. The Directorate: Transport, Roads and Stormwater is cleaning or replacing road signs defaced by graffiti.

Graffiti on private property is the responsibility of the owner. Graffiti in the southern suburbs can be reported to Graffiti Busters, a voluntary organisation, on 021 712 7975 during office hours. It also provides advice on the best cleaning methods for various surfaces.

"Graffiti is a worldwide problem and it is a complex one. It is common knowledge that the culprits are mainly youngsters who reside in the affected area. During school holidays there is a marked increase in the number of incidents.

"It is a problem that the city cannot solve on its own, we need the co-operation of all residents, especially parents and those dealing with the youth," said Cooper.

Residents who have spotted graffiti vandals at work must report it immediately to the City Police on 021 424 7715 or the nearest police station.


Complaint No 2

A Blackheath resident living in Margaret Road, Gaylee wants something done about the big potholes in her road which she says are damaging her car.


The solution

The transport, roads and stormwater department for Blackheath responds: We have been very busy fixing roads in the area that have been affected by the rain, but we will follow up on the complaint and fix the road in due course.


Complaint No 3

A Durbanville resident says a flock of mallard ducks at a dam in Uitzicht is becoming cause for concern.



He said: "There are people who have taken it upon themselves to feed the ducks and act as their guardians, and then chase people who are out walking their dogs away."

"Also cross breeding with other indigenous ducks has already taken place and I just feel that the indigenous birds that are supposed to be there should be given more space, and the mallard ducks should be removed."


The solution

CapeNature Conservation responds: Service officer Bongani Mnisi says they will be dealing with the Vygeboom and Sonstraal dams in Durbanville later this month, before moving on to Parow where residents also have a problem with mallard ducks.

"We have received a report about the ducks (in Uitzicht) and I will go to the pond at the beginning of August," he said.


Complaint No 4

An Ottery resident says she is still waiting for the city council to clear a field in Bishopstone Road which has been used as a dumping ground for years.

She said she hhas called the cleansing department on several occasions and was told it would be cleaning it, but nothing has been done.

She said she was concerned about the security risk, especially to children who play there, as the mounds made by dumped building rubble allowed people to hide behind themng for the city council to clear a field in Bishopstone Road which has been used as a dumping ground for years.

She said she hhas called the cleansing department on several occasions and was told it would be cleaning it, but nothing has been done.


She also highlighted the deplorable state of a field in Vygiekraal Road, Manenberg.


The solution

Director of Solid Waste for the City of Cape Town Wouter Loots responded: "The field in Ottery where there is illegal dumping was cleared yesterday and today," he said.

He added that work had started on the field in Manenberg on Monday.