Ward 58 - active civil society

Ward 58, covering parts of Rondebosch, Claremont and Kenilworth, presents a study in contrasts.

- NAMHLA MONAKALI

Tree-lined streets and well-maintained parks mask persistent issues with petty crime, traffic congestion and development pressures.

With a median household income of R225 000 and unemployment at just 2,9%, the area appears thriving.

Nearly 93% of residents have completed high school, and basic services reach 98% of households.

Yet ward councillor Richard Hill says challenges remain. “The reality is more complex than the statistics suggest,” he notes, citing pressures from informal settlements, street-level crime and infrastructure backlogs.

CRIME IN PARADISE

The Claremont police reports that street people are responsible for over 90% of petty crimes in the ward, including car break-ins, house burglaries, muggings and drug peddling.

“The challenge is multifaceted,” Hill says.

The ward business plan points to squatter encampments along Stegmann Road and Prasa rail reserves as sources of criminal activity spilling into residential areas. The plan notes these settlements serve as bases for “drug lines, muggings, house and car break-ins, and harassment of customers.”