Contractors jumped the gun on MyCiTi work

The City of Cape Town has admitted that demolition work, to make way for the controversial MyCiTi route, started on four Plumstead properties last year before the project was approved by the council.

The proposed demolition of the properties on Rotherfield, Lympleigh and Waterbury roads was approved a few weeks ago at the full council meeting. But contractors were photographed removing tiles and other features from the house on December 28 2014 and residents want to know how work could start without council approval.

Ian Neilson, mayoral committee member for finance, said last week, The contractor was appointed so that demolition could commence immediately once the final council resolution (was) taken, in an effort to mitigate the ongoing cost of securing the relevant properties, which amounts to approximately R80,000 a month.

Unfortunately, over the festive period, during which many staff members are afforded the opportunity to take annual leave, the incorrect information was given to the contractor to proceed with the preparation for demolition. This is regretted. The preparation for demolition was suspended with immediate effect in anticipation of the final resolution of council.

Neilson said the demolition of property was governed by the Municipal Finance Management Act and followed a comprehensive regulatory process. He confirmed the required steps of public participation were followed and that there were no objections. The proposed demolition was also supported by the sub council. The only outstanding step... was the final council resolution.

But Plumstead residents, including tenants who face eviction now that the leases on their council-owned houses have been terminated to make way for MyCiTi infrastructure, have slammed the city for acting without following due process.

Meanwhile, the Western Cape governments standing committee on transport and public works has agreed that mayoral committee member for Transport for Cape Town Brett Herron and the City of Cape Town be invited to a special meeting at the provincial legislature on February 17 2015.

Cameron Dugmore, ANC MPL, requested the meeting to address concerns about the lack of consultation between the city and affected residents, and to seek clarity on how much of the R4.1 billion that has been allocated from national funding will be used for the South and Main road couplets.

Last week, Dugmore said representatives of the South Road Families Association and Wynberg Residents and Ratepayers Association, as well as the various taxi associations, would also be invited.

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Contractors jumped the gun on MyCiTi work