By Gavin, on October 7th, 2019  While the need for security surveillance is accepted, concerns were expressed about the possible abuse of the cameras. Many of the local cameras are not connected to the City’s central control room where properly vetted officials monitor them.

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By Gavin, on May 13th, 2019  In order to be properly informed and to respond to the concerns, we would appreciate it if you could advise us about your policy and ethics in respect of the surveillance cameras and usage thereof.

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By Gavin, on November 23rd, 2016  Never before has the need for civil society vigilance been greater than in this interesting times we live in. We have a constitutional democracy. But what does it mean when the democratic space in local government is fast shrinking and it appears that there has been “state capture” at our local government level.

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By WebWolly, on June 21st, 2016  It has been over a year since the City of Cape Town asked for comments from the public as part of the public participation process during its permit application to be allowed to continue discharging untreated effluent into our coastal waters and MPA’s. We have had no feedback or answers to our queries and objections, nor have we been advised as to whether or not the permit was granted and if so under what conditions.

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By WebWolly, on January 29th, 2016  With bullets whizzing over their heads, through their windows and into the walls of their homes, it is no wonder there is little faith in Ceasefire – with Hanover Park Community Police Forum’s secretary, Mr Weldon Cameron, saying at a meeting on “Gangsterism, Trauma and Substance Abuse” that Ceasefire does not work on the Cape Flats.

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By WebWolly, on December 24th, 2015  “We do not see gang violence ceasing. People are killed daily due to gang violence. The question we need to be asking is why is this happening in this province while gangsterism seems to be under control in other provinces,” Bam said.

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By WebWolly, on August 17th, 2015  It would appear that the voice of the ratepayer is being silenced by the new municipal bylaw on planning (MBL). Regulation will allow developments to be approved without consultation with the ratepayers and community. A closer study of the MBL reveal quite wide ranging powers given to the City to exclude public participation, e.g the City can decide whom it feels would be appropriate to consult. This means it could bypass the local ratepayer and civic organisations thus denying organised community structures a voice.

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By WebWolly, on April 17th, 2015  We were recently warned to be alert on that stretch of the road and that seems to be the response of our law enforcers. All the time it is about “the community must be alert”, “the community must assist the police” and “the community must do more to ensure their safety”.

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By WebWolly, on March 9th, 2015  Premier Zille, if you are indeed “committed” to curbing alcohol abuse, please answer why you are not using your political influence on your colleagues in the city to force them to follow recommendations made by the head of your own Health Department, Professor Craig Househam, to reduce the city’s liquor trading hours for licensed pubs and liquor stores, and have the Liquor Authority heed objections to liquor licence applications from communities suffering from high levels of social ills, while getting social workers to play a more prominent role in creating safer communities.

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By WebWolly, on February 27th, 2015  Why not implement recommendations made by experts and academics, such as Professor Craig Househam, to reduce the city’s liquor trading hours for licensed pubs and liquor stores, and have the Liquor Authority heed objections to liquor licence applications from communities suffering from high levels of social ills.

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By WebWolly, on February 20th, 2015  The Greater Cape Town Civic Alliance wants Premier Helen Zille to focus specifically on crime and the needs of poor during her State of the Province Address (Sopa).

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By WebWolly, on November 26th, 2014  This is a story about the undermining of our democracy. This is a story about how a corporation was able to bully residents in their own neighbourhood. This is a story about the flagrant disregard for the rights of a community exhibited by government and corporate interests and about profit over the will of the people.

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By WebWolly, on July 10th, 2014  Western Cape social development services are mostly outsourced to NGOs, but aren’t adequately funded to make a significant difference. It’s disingenuous for the provincial government to quote spending comparisons with other provinces, while ignoring studies that reveal we have the highest rate of substance abuse in South Africa, with alcohol fuelling 70 percent of violent crime.

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By WebWolly, on May 31st, 2014  THE Greater Cape Town Civic Alliance congratulates South Africa on a successful election. The people have spoken and given the ANC a national mandate to govern, in the Western Cape, the DA was chosen by the people to govern and ensure a better life for its citizens.

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By WebWolly, on May 5th, 2014  THE GREATER Cape Town Civic Alliance (GCTCA) notes MEC Albert Fritz’s response (“Reducing crime and tackling social ills requires the whole of society to participate”, Cape Times, May 2). Quoting spending comparisons with other provinces merely serves to deflect the failures of the Western Cape provincial government to reduce the highest social ills in South Africa.

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By WebWolly, on April 29th, 2014  Cape Town’s violent crime especially needs urgent action, while better allocation of police resources is a must, our violent crime however requires a different approach than simply a call for more police.

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