At the beginning of March 2023, the City`s (now former) Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor, Malusi Booi officially turned the first sod at the Kanonkop Phase 2 project in Atlantis. Booi has since been fired as Mayco member after allegations of fraud and corruption.
The project will develop 1 159 plots and upgrade over 600 existing residential sites for qualifying residents of Atlantis. It is one of the City’s larger housing projects and will provide opportunities for nearly 5000 residents once all phases have been completed. The development consists of two phases, with Phase 1 now completed. The landscaping and boundary wall work is being carried out is part of phase 2. “The City continues to do its best to provide affordable housing opportunities across the metro and we recognise the growing need in our communities. These opportunities are a stepping stone for residents and we look forward to completing the work and upgrades over the coming months,” said Booi at the event. He confirmed that the civil works currently underway will take 18 months to complete. Construction will commence once all planning approvals are in place and civil works are complete.
When asked what steps the City will implement to ensure vandalism does not plague this phase in the same way it did phase one years ago, Booi said security has been enhanced on site to ensure that the opportunities for residents are protected. “We ask residents to be our eyes and ears and to assist us by reporting vandalism to the City and the South African Police Service. Residents can give anonymous tip offs if they are aware of illegal activity that is taking place that has happened or is still to happen. The toll-free number to call is 0800 1100 77. But another challenge might rear its head during this development. In recent years, the so-called construction mafia has become part of the narrative in the building industry in South Africa. There are growing concerns that extortionists are targeting construction workers and the recipients of City of Cape Town construction tenders. In February, a City official Wendy Kloppers (48), was gunned down at a housing site in Delft.
“The City would like to make it clear that it will not tolerate the criminal attacks, community interference or acts of extortion against its projects across the metro. Members of the community are encouraged to stand with the City for the benefit of beneficiaries at its housing projects. The City will continue to pursue its six-point plan to help reduce the incidents of violence, criminality, and extortion at our housing projects which is threatening some R1 billion in projects,” said Booi. The six-point plan to reduce the risk of criminality includes working closer with the SAPS and calling on the NPA to step up efforts to help bring these criminals to book. It also includes enhancing security at the projects and increased monitoring.
In addition the City also offers cash rewards for general for information leading to arrests of those targeting housing projects with extortion or violence. Members of the community may give anonymous tips and it is absolutely vital that our communities stand with the City and law enforcement authorities.
