Sector 2 Sub Crime Forum Report
www.MyPE.co.za:
Report to the Sector 2 Sub Crime Forum Incorporating Lovemore Heights
Miramar Mount Pleasant Pari Park Providentia and Walmer Heights as at
Wednesday, 27th January, 2010.
1. Tough Water
restrictions
The Water crisis in NMB is now critical and there is a 4% decline in
water stock per month. This means that we will have no water by
October, 2010. According to Barry Martin, the Metro’s Water Chief, if
we do not receive meaningful rainfall soon, some areas might even be
difficult to supply by July. Our supply dams are currently at about 40%
average capacity, and the Metro only has access to about 30% of this
water. The Churchill dam stands at a low 22.8%.
30% of the Metro’s water comes from the Gariep dam, via the Fish River
scheme, and there are plans to increase this quantity, but this is only
scheduled to happen by 2013.
The current Metro consumption stands at 303 Ml/day, and we immediately
need to reduce our domestic consumption by at least 20% per day. (Refer
to the notes in this info pack).
From 1st February, all households will be restricted to 500 lt per day,
at normal tariffs. If more is consumed, penalties will come into
effect, at higher tariffs. Watch the press for details.
The Metro has started with the drafting of a Drought Emergency Plan and
a specific Disaster Plan is also being considered. Our water status is
now critical. Everyone must please help to reduce consumption.
The Metro has employed 400 workers to implement a Water Saving Campaign
and pamphlets and visits to residents of this area have now been
completed by Yolanda and her team.
Please report all water leaks to 0800 20 50 50. Help conserve water!
2. Objections / Appeals
to Residential Property Valuations:
Notification was received early December that the MEC has finally
appointed the Appeal Board members. They are Mr Fischat (chairman), Mr
John Bartels (vice chairman), Mr Goosen (valuer) Mrs Louis, Mr
Scheepers (associated valuer) and Mr Deysel (East London). Apart from
Mr Deysel, all the members are from the PE area. It is expected that
the new Board will start processing the 7000 objections soon. (Refer to
the notes in the annexures of this info pack).
The Property Rates Act and the Systems Act, Section 118, states that
once an objection is submitted regarding a valuation of a property, the
MEC must attend to that objection within 60 days. This has clearly not
happened, and many property owners have been prejudiced by the long
delays caused by the non action of the MEC.
According to local officials, a person selling a property has to pay
their outstanding rates in full, before they can get their rates
clearance. If they pay, and the property is later reduced in value by
the Appeal Board, the Metro will refund the overpaid amount.
Urgent issues can be brought to the attention of Roelf Weyers, who will
request the valuers to revisit the property and make an assessment.
If you would like to check on the status of your objection or appeal,
please contact either:
Mr Roelf Weyers : 041 – 506 5360 and rweyers[at]mandelametro.gov.za
Mr George Rentzke : 041 – 506 5672 and grentzke[at]mandelametro.gov.za
3. Crime in the area:
- Stonings at Victoria Drive: Several incidents have recently
occurred,
so please try and avoid this road, especially after sunset. Do you know
of someone who was attacked? All cases must be reported to the SAPS. - Sardinia Bay attacks: Recent media reports have highlighted
the serious
crime problems that are occurring on a daily basis at this area. No one
is safe, especially when the beach and car-park is deserted. Please
avoid this area. It is certainly a no-go area after sunset!! - Marine Drive attacks: Another person was attacked on Monday
morning,
18th January, at about 10am, between Schoenies and Gate 2. An elderly
man was sitting in his car when three black males attacked
and robbed him. This area is not safe at the moment!
Please report any incident, as we must ensure that Walmer SAPS stats
are correct. Every crime must be reported to ensure that policing
trends are kept updated. Please also report any bad service.
Our Walmer SAPS Sector Manager is Inspector Jerling = 082 3343 764 or
041 – 504 5410.
Neighbourhood Watch patrols: Congratulations are extended to all the
local role-players and patrollers for the wonderful work that is being
done to keep this area safer for all. Please continue with your fine
work, even after crime stats start dropping, as criminals are watching
all the time.
If you note any problems whilst on patrol, such as leaking water or
sewer pipes, or overflowing manholes, or street lights not working,
please send me an email with the relevant details. Any reports received
are immediately sent on to the Metro officials for action.
4. Problems in the area:
- Salisbury Park: Dumping, vagrants, and vandalism is on the
increase,
and there is still no progress with the clearing of this area. The
battle for effective control of this area will continue. - Emerald Square Shopping Centre: It appears that the
problems caused by
the noisy fans and the bad siting of the ATM’s are still not resolved.
Efforts will continue to have these problems corrected. - Boundary Road vlei: Maintenance of the vlei area is proving
to be a
challenge, and efforts will continue to have this area maintained on a
regular basis. Please report any activity by quad-bikes and motorbikes
to Traffic control on 041 585 1555. - General maintenance: Pavements in the CBD area (High
Street) still need
to be rectified and /or provided. The high incidence of blocked sewers
remains a cause for major concern. The high incidence of burst water
pipes is another major concern. There have been several sewer leaks
into Kelly’s Vlei and the general state of this POS is most
disconcerting, as this area deserves better treatment. - Illegal Taxi rank: Despite numerous requests, the
congestion, pollution
and environmental concerns remain a problem alongside the Engen Garage.
Efforts will continue to resolve these matters. - Sardinia Bay road, dune encroachment: The Metro is
determined to close
the road to the bottom car-park, as they say the sand dune cannot be
stopped. The fight will continue to have this beach access reopened for
all. - Illegal Dumping continues unchecked: The Metro Task Team
established to
combat this scourge has still done absolutely nothing. If you see
someone dumping, take a picture, and/or their registration details, and
please forward this to your local councillor. Please also report any
new sites.
5. Traffic Matters:
Please report illegal activities to the Metro Call centre at 041 – 585
1555. Please ask yourself the following questions: What road repairs
are needed? What traffic problems need to be resolved or addressed?
Where do we need speed checking?
If you believe that action is needed on any of the above, please email
me your proposal and comments. These will be collated and included in
our next revision of the Ward 1 plan.
Speed and traffic monitoring: Below are reports on speed checking done
in this area:
- Video law enforcement was conducted at Buffelsfontein Road
and
Melsetter Street: On Wednesday, 21 October 2009 between the hours 06:30
and 08:10, one(1) motorists were prosecuted for causing obstruction. On
Thursday, 05 November 2009 between the hours 15:24 and 16:24, five (5)
motorists were prosecuted for disregarding the road sign: no stopping,
no u turn, robot and vehicle in motion whilst door is open. - Speed law enforcement was conducted at Buffelsfontein Road
and
Melsetter Street: On Tuesday, 22 September 2009 between the
hours 06:30 and 08:30, eight hundred (800) vehicles was measured and
eleven (11) motorists were prosecuted for disregarding the 60 km/h
speed limit the highest 86 km/h. On Friday, 06 November 2009
between the hours 08:30 and 14:00, two thousand four hundred (2400)
vehicles was measured and sixteen (16) motorists were prosecuted for
disregarding the 60 km/h speed limit the highest 89 km/h. - Speed law enforcement was conducted at Buffelsfontein Road
and
Melsetter Street on Thursday, 10 December 2009 between the hours 16:00
and 18:00, one thousand nine hundred (1900) vehicles were
measured and five (5) motorists were prosecuted for disregarding the 60
km/h speed limit the highest 94 km/h. - On Monday, 14 December 2009 between the hours 10:00 and
13:00, one
thousand seven hundred and forty (1740) vehicles was measured and two
(2) motorists were prosecuted for disregarding the 60 km/h speed limit
the highest 89 km/h.
Road and Traffic matters:
- Glendore Road traffic calming measures: This matter has
been discussed
before, and we need to re-affirm what should be done to minimise the
noise and create a safer environment. A general consensus is needed. Do
we request the removal of the existing speed humps and replace them
with a traffic circle? Do we request traffic circles at the
Michaelangelo, Chopin and Beethoven intersections? - Traffic circles needed? Melsetter and Edmonds? Athlone and
Gladys? Any
other suggestions? - Speed humps needed? Melsetter, Boundary Rd, Athlone Street,
Botha,
Gladys. General consensus needed. - Traffic problems: Speeding hot-spots: Boundary Rd,
Melsetter Rd,
Edmonds Rd, Sardinia Bay Rd. Speeding on Buffelsfontein Rd, between
Melsetter and Longmeadow Estate. Four way stop streets not being
adhered to. General complaints.
6. Housing and Land
matters:
- Erf 1832, Lovemore Heights. Sale of 4m portion of this POS.
Awaiting
clarity on status. - Erf 3327, Lovemore Heights. Application for Guesthouse, ZSD
for a third
floor, in progress. - Erf 3062, Lovemore Heights. # 63 Greenways Road. Status?
Demolition
requested!
7. Liquor License issues
/ applications:
Foongs, at Emerald Square.
8. General matters:
- Ward Office: After a ten month wait, the acting MM has
finally signed
the lease agreement and the Ward 1 office will soon be operational at
the upstairs office, # 9, Seagate Centre, Torquay Street. (above Action
Sports) The process to appoint a Ward Assistant has now started. - Local Disaster Management: Names are still needed of any
interested
residents who would like to volunteer to assist in any emergency. Free
training will be provided. Let me know. - Dogs on beaches: We need to stand up for our four legged
friends, but
we also need to do it responsibly. Always have your dog on a leash, and
use a pooper scooper. Please always leave the beach as you would like
to find it, and please be considerate of those around you. - Arlington Landfill site: Please notify me if you experience
any
problems caused by this site. - Assistance to the Poor – ATTP: Many residents are battling
in these
tough economic times. Information is available. - Heritage and Graves Audit: Do you have information that
needs to be
considered? Please advise my office soonest. - SpecSavers Ironman: The date for this year is Sunday, 25th
April, 2010.
Road closures will be from 7am to 5pm.
9. Ward 1 Committee
meeting dates for 2010:
Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month, at 5.30pm, at
the Kings Tide Boutique Hotel, 10th Avenue, Summerstrand. Observers are
always welcome to attend.
Dates for 2010: Wednesday, 3rd February, 3rd March, 7th April, 5th May,
2nd June. Ward Committee elections are due to be held early in the new
year. Your current committee is all available and meetings have
continued, even though the ANC disbanded these structures.
Sincere thanks are extended to the ten Ward 1 Committee members who
have assisted me with my work over the past three years: Mariette
Rossouw, George Adams, Trevlyn Lotz, John Veltman, Gail Cillie, Rob
Wylde, Rose Trehaeven, Dave McIntosh, Herman Nell, Gail Brown.
How can I be of
assistance? Please feel free to contact me.
Kind Regards
Councillor Stanford Slabbert (Democratic Alliance)
Ward 1: Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality
Tel: 041 – 581 7390
Fax: 088 – 041 – 581 7390
Cell: 082 9900 907
Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation
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