City of Cape Town faces backlash over neglected property and water wastage

Neighbours living near the former AL-Noor Child and Youth Care Centre for orphans in Woodstock, where operations were shut more than five years ago after the Department of Social Development removed 17 children from its care, said their pleas to the City to fix a burst pipe has fallen on deaf ears.

This week the Cape Argus established that the property belongs to the City’s Human Settlements division, after claims that it was under the Western Cape Government.

Irate residents said they had reported the burst pipe to authorities for years and shared videos of streams of water gushing down the street.

One resident, who asked only to be identified as Sandor, said he and his fellow neighbours made numerous calls and complaints to the City about the alarming amount of water, and was forced to contact the media.

“Every time there is a lot of rain, the pressure seems to increase and there seems to be a burst pipe underground,” he said.

“This used to be once the old Bowling Club and then it became an orphanage, which was closed down.

“As far as we understand, someone is supposed to be looking after the premises but there are squatters.

“The ground there is slightly higher than our road and for the past four to five years we have been calling the City as water has been coming through the vibacrete fence.

“The City would send officials and say there is no one on the property for them to obtain the ERF number.

“This is the situation for years and the water just runs into the streets and this is water that is being wasted.”

Ward 115 councillor Ian McMahon  said they were aware of the community's complaints and would be undertaking to resolve the issue soon.

“Our office was alerted to this leak in January as well as other reference numbers sent to us by residents,” he said.

“I have reached out to the mayco Water and Sanitation to establish why this has not been attended to, and have not heard back yet, but I’m sure it will be shortly.

"The rains have caused flooding in parts of Cape Town so I’m sure he is busy with that today.

“The property is owned by the City of Cape Town, there is a legal situation currently in play as the site has been occupied. I’d suggest reaching out to Human Settlements Department for more info on this.”

Melt Botes of the Western Cape Government confirmed that according to their records, the property belonged to the City of Cape Town. 

In 2019, the Department of Social Development removed 17 children from the premises and the owner, Amina Okpara, was arrested.

Okpara faced charges of contravention of the Immigration Act and a charge of fraud.

She was investigated by the Hawks for allegedly having stolen donations and funding provided to the orphanage.

Western Cape Department of Social Development spokesperson, Esther Lewis, said the children were placed in safe homes after the closure, while some have since turned 18 years old. 

“The children who were removed in 2019 were of varying ages. Some children were reunified with family members, others remained in alternative safe care, and some will have turned 18 and are no longer in the alternative care system. The Department of Social Development doesn’t conduct deportations," she said.

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