Beneficiaries of the Edward Avenue housing development in Ot
| Author | Lillian Amos lillian.amos@acm.co.za |
| Published date | 05 April 2023 |
| Publication title | Southern Mail |
The security officers have not been back since, leading to fears that the housing project will be delayed.
One of the beneficiaries who spoke to Southern Mail under the condition of anonymity, in fear of retaliation from the gang, said the project was on track up until two weeks ago, on Friday March 24, when the gang approached security.
“Since then there has been no work at the site and we fear whatever work has been done will be undone,” he said.
The man said the community of Ottery had been liaising with the City for many years to get the project started and after some delays it began in 2021.
Civil engineering infrastructure, which includes the provision of transport systems and installation of services such as drainage, had been completed but the site is currently unprotected. “There’s no manpower on the field and it’s just standing vacant because gangsters were telling them (the security company) that they want money. The security company then withdrew from the site and that’s what the current situation is.
“These gangsters are not thinking about the people who need these homes desperately and who have been fighting to make this happen. We’ve waited so long and now because of their greed there might be a delay. It is very upsetting and I truly hope they can come to their senses because they’re putting our lives and the livelihood of the people who became employed through this project at risk,” he said.
The beneficiaries were under the impression that the project would be completed by the end of the year but the City of Cape Town predicted completion by the end of April next year.
Another resident, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said the community had previously been and are still held to ransom because of the ongoing gang violence over the years.
“We have lost so many people due to the shootings and we were forced to stay in our homes and many aren’t allowed to walk in the adjacent Ottery flats because of these gangsters. We’ve tolerated a lot but we will not stand by as gangsters destroy or try to delay our right to decent homes. We as a community need to stand up and stop this from happening,” he said.
Ward councillor William Akim was at the site on the day the security officers were threatened and tried to defuse the situation.
“The security guys then left and the men from this...
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