Table View beachfront’s recent dune rehabilitation project and upgrade efforts have been marred by the sudden influx of vagrants setting up camp on the shore. The situation has quickly spiralled out of control, causing significant disturbances in the area.
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According to local residents, this is not an isolated incident but a growing trend across the city. Vagrants have been known to settle in various locations, and beaches appear to be the latest hotspot for these communities.
This alarming development has left the authorities scrambling for solutions to address the issue and restore order to the area.
As the problem continues to escalate, concerned citizens are calling on the relevant authorities to take decisive action and implement long-term solutions to ensure that Table View beachfront remains a safe and enjoyable environment for all.
As reported by TygerBurger, Mary Palmer, a resident of the area, expressed her concern over the growing number of homeless individuals choosing to make the shoreline their permanent residence and using it as a toilet.
According to Palmer, the situation has become an eyesore and has now extended to the dune dividers, where homeless people have set up camps.
The spread of this issue to the dune dividers has added to the problem’s severity, causing additional distress to the residents. The presence of these camps and the unhygienic practices associated with them have left many residents feeling concerned for their safety and the environment’s well-being.
Deputy mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and environment, Eddie Andrews, told TygerBurger that the wind nets, commonly referred to as dune dividers, serve the purpose of curbing the movement of sand caused by the wind. He explained that the authorities reach out for assistance when individuals settle in these areas.
‘The contractor and the City’s coastal management branch requests the City’s displaced peoples unit to assist when indigent people settle in the dune rehabilitation area,’ Andrews said.
When approached by TygerBurger, Wayne Dyason, the spokesperson for law enforcement, acknowledged the complaints about homeless individuals settling on the dune dividers. He confirmed that the law enforcement department is aware of the issue and attends to it at least twice a week.
Dyason said, ‘People living on the street are always made aware of safe spaces available for them and officers request them to make use of the help offered by the City’s social development and early childhood development department.’
‘This help is mostly not accepted, hence they keep returning. Law enforcement officers will continue attending to these areas. The City’s social development and early childhood development department is always requested to intervene and offer assistance.’
‘The City of Cape Town constantly addresses the many challenges with regards to people living on the street and to increase assistance and capacity with safe spaces and social development initiatives.’
According to Ward Councillor Paul Swart, he is actively engaged with the City on the issue of vagrants camping on Table View’s beaches. He affirms that the City has received several complaints from concerned residents and councillors and is taking the matter seriously.
The escalation of this problem highlights the need for effective measures to address the root cause of homelessness and provide support to those in need. In the meantime, residents are calling for immediate action to restore the area’s cleanliness and safety, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the beach without any inconvenience.
The Table View beachfront project, which began in July 2022, has made significant progress, according to Andrews.
Andrews reports that the project has successfully rescued and planted 94,000 plants on the dunes, moved 162 515m³ of sand, and installed 23km of netting. The wind nets have functioned as intended, effectively curbing the movement of sand, and the contractor is maintaining them and the access paths.
The adjacent infrastructure has remained sand-free despite the accumulation of sand seaward and in designated locations next to the kite surfing areas. The accumulated sand will be pushed back into the sea before the end of June as part of the annual maintenance, and the nets in these locations will be reinstalled.
In preparation for the rainy season, the contractor is currently undertaking the planting of propagated species, with 20,000 plants already planted in March and an estimated 16 000 more to be planted by the end of June, as well as overseeding. The irrigation system is expected to be fully operational by the end of June.
Regarding the civil works, the contract is pending award in April, and the authorities hope to commence work on site by August at the latest, as per Andrews.
The progress of the Table View beachfront project indicates the City’s commitment to preserving the natural environment while providing an enhanced experience for residents and visitors.
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Picture: Screenshot of a video from the City of Cape Town / The Table View beachfront project