Residents and councillor divided by wall row

SOPHIATOWN – In many places in the world, walls are built to keep things in. In South Africa, however, we build them to keep people out.

Residents of Edith Street in Sophiatown took matters into their own hands and have decided to build a wall, in the hope of keeping criminals out of their cul-de-sac.

This, after the community recently lost a valued resident, Shahied Snyman, who died from a stab wound to the chest.

“When I was told that Shahied had died and his murderer ran through an open space into the Koppies the first question I asked is ‘Why is there is no wall here?’, because this is an open door for any perpetrator,” said Bishop Dulton Adams from the Church of Johannesburg, based in Claremont.

Having lost his childhood friend Snyman, Bishop Adams resolved to get involved.

“I was told by Tilly that they had spoken and wrote to the councillor countless times about this open space leading to the Koppies and nothing had been done, so we had to do something,” he added.

Sophiatown resident and sister to the Mayor of Johannesburg Tilly Michaels said, “I am not saying the wall will totally eradicate crime but it will certainly make the criminal think twice, because we have to make it as inconvenient for them [criminals] as possible to come in and out as they please. The area run by the Democratic Alliance (DA) is not showing any signs of what they promise people…in the two terms they have run this area nothing has been done for the community.”

According to Michaels, Steve Kotzé is not supporting the community the way he should.

She accused Kotzé of not attending community meetings and never getting involved in the local radio station to talk to Sophiatown residents.

In response, Ward 86 Councillor Steve Kotzé said the residents he represents are his main focus. “It is obvious to me that the overture and tone of these allegations are politically engineered.”

Kotze added that he was informed about the open veld being an exit route for criminals and he advised residents to draw up a petition to the City, but “when [he] followed up on this matter, it became clear that these residents chose not to draw up a petition. It is of concern to me when the regrettable and tragic death of a resident is used for political reasons.”

He also said he attends community meetings, unless he is held up in other council duties.

Regarding crime in the area, Kotzé said he has set up a WhatsApp group in Sophiatown to communicate crime alerts to residents and to receive information related to crime and council service delivery on a ‘real-time’ basis. He said he is also involved in the neighbourhood watch and ensures police patrol the area.

Sophiatown residents – what is your take on this?