- Amid a public outcry about the surge in sand mining and subsequent trenches along some of the key routes in Khayelitsha the City of Cape Town has listened and closed the deadly holes.
- Recently, the City came under fire for allegedly failing to act against illegal sand mining and perpetrators in and around Khayelitsha.
- The problem was raised by concerned meat vendors along Japhta Masemola Road in Green Point and those working along Spine Road in Town Two.
Amid a public outcry about the surge in sand mining and subsequent trenches along some of the key routes in Khayelitsha, particularly along Spine Road in Town Two, the City of Cape Town has listened and closed the deadly holes.
Recently, the City came under fire for allegedly failing to act against illegal sand mining and perpetrators in and around Khayelitsha (“Khayelitsha Ward 93 marred as holes caused by illegal sand mining continue to surge”, City Vision, 8 February).
The problem was raised by concerned meat vendors along Japhta Masemola Road in Green Point and those working along Spine Road in Town Two.
They described the trenches as a threat and health hazard.
Responding to the concerns, Mayco member for urban mobility Rob Quintas said the City has added the sites and reconstruction of the footway to its maintenance list. The areas in question are currently being filled in and compacted.
Quintas described illegal sand mining as an “unlawful activity” that often led to an “unsafe condition for the community” and could result in serious injuries and loss of lives.
“The other cost is that funds that could have been used for maintenance of infrastructure are now used to repair unsafe conditions that are caused by these perpetrators,” he said. “We urge those witnessing these activities to report it to their closest police station, or the City.”
One of the meat vendors at Embengweni in Town Two, Veliswa Nkunkwana, praised the City for closing the holes near businesses, saying some of the vendors used the holes as dumping spots
She criticised illegal sand mining, saying it affected everyone.
“These holes are dangerous to the community. People can fall and break their legs. Also, the rubbish that is dumped there is detrimental to our health because it stinks. We need to protect our environment.”