De Munnik continues as head of Ilka

Mr Tony de Munnik was re-elected as the I Love Kensington Association (Ilka) chairperson on Saturday, March 19.

After interacting with the residents in the meeting, Mr de Munnik said the committee’s main focus will be to improve communication with residents.

This was after several residents said they wanted to be part of Ilka’s events but cannot because they do not get information in time.

Mr de Munnik said social media has caused uncalled for suffering in the world.

“The airing on social media of people’s views has, in the last three months, caused untold damage to our communities and this country. It has also resulted in a growing division between our people. I would appeal to you all, and to those who have chosen not to join us today, to become involved physically and to lend a hand to make our streets cleaner and safer,” he said.

Mr de Munnik said he is not on any social media platforms, but because there are many residents who make use of it as their immediate means of communication, his team will improve in using social media going forward.

He said llka will work to make Kensington a clean and safe place to leave in.

He said his committee had previously engaged with consultants to implementing public space patrolling and fibre optic communications projects.

Mr de Munnik said Ilka had to put the communications initiative on hold due to the cost and logistics barriers within the community.

“We decided to scale down the initiative to manage it in smaller zones. This is happening as we speak, The idea is that once a few zones have been introduced to the concept we can then expand the footprint,” he said.

He said Ilka was working to make Kensington a safe place for residents.

He pointed out that armed response companies are not obliged to protect residents on the streets and in open spaces.

“They respond to alarm and panic buttons triggered within the confines of your property and most of them are doing a reasonable job. They are armed and they are restricted as to what they can do as a result of their contract with you. But if you are mugged on your street, your armed response company is not obliged to help. Their response is a voluntary judgement call,” he said.

He said it was for this reason that Ilka, after consultation with experts and security companies operating in Kensington, appointed No Crime to provide security within the area.

“No Crime was the most appropriate organisation to go with. They have a significant presence in Kensington already and many people know and feel comfortable with Murphy (No Crime’s owner). We felt their services could be scaled up as Kensington residents became more involved,” said Mr de Munnik.

According to Mr de Munnik, crime statistics have decreased in the area for the months of February and March.

He also said the rape and double murder incident in Rhodes Park affected property values in the area.

“Kensington was plunged into the pool of crime-related statistics and we became the least attractive space, not only in Johannesburg but even abroad,” he said.

He said he was getting calls from Los Angeles and Switzerland, asking about the group of 12 men who attacked two couples in the park.

“In analysing the effects of this catastrophe, I can tell you that the average house price in the area has suffered dramatically. All are in agreement that this single incident has shaken us to our foundations. A key factor to contemplate is that the banks have also joined this slide by reducing the value they place on our properties,” he said.

Mr de Munnik aslo met with the provincial political heads to discuss the Rhodes Park situation.

A meeting was held with the City of Johannesburg’s mayor, Clr Mpho Parks Tau, and the DA mayoral candidate, Mr Herman Mashaba.

“The mayor listened intently to my points and has instructed his assistant to organise a meeting for me to address the Rhodes Park matter with him again, in the presence of the heads of City Parks and the Joburg Property Company. This meeting is to explore a way forward on the management of the park to ensure this cherished part of the city’s history is effectively and efficiently maintained,” he said.

He said he met with Mr Mashaba so that he could make sure that even the opposition party knows about it.

Mr De Munnik urged those who want to serve in his committee to contact him on tonyd@panicss.co.za with their details.