Residents express frustration over Chapel Street upgrades in District Six

Recent upgrades on Chapel Street in District Six are causing headaches for residents living in nearby apartments.

Since June, the City of Cape Town has been carrying out the work using private contractors. The City's mayoral committee member for spatial planning and environment, Eddie Andrews, said the upgrades are part of a programme to improve public spaces in District Six, which will be aligned with future housing developments.

Apartments in-between Russell Street and Hanover Street are experiencing disruptions.

District Six Civic Association chairperson Asa Salie said that high piles of sand are blowing into residents’ homes and alleged that contractors working on the pipe infrastructure have damaged residents’ indoor water pipes.

Ms Salie said that the contractors had caused scratches and cracks on the walls by using their roller compactor machines on the pavement.

“A project manager has met with residents and said if there are damages to the property, we must provide proof,” she said.

A District Six resident, Anwar Botha, said that the upgrades have caused damage to his property, where there was a pipe burst in his place.

“I am disappointed in the city’s response, and they are not treating the residents fairly in repairing the damages,” he said.

District Six Advocacy Group (DSAC) chairperson, Tania Kleinhans-Cedras, claims the current proposed upgrade of Chapel Street has caused serious violations.

She said that in the stretch from Chapel Street to Russell Street, contractors have dug up cobblestones and granite curbs that are over 150 years old.

“Chapel Street is a Grade 1 site, and the milling of the evidence to be re-used within the upgrade is unacceptable,” she said.

Ms Kleinhans-Cedras said no evidence of a South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) approval has been provided. Then, from Chapel Street leading up towards Hanover Street, Ms Kleinhans-Cedras said the restitution process has been violated and has questioned the communications between officials.  

Ms Kleinhans-Cedras said that the city can’t continue with this work unless proper engagements are held between the city and the residents.

“After mentioning the need for a stop work order until these violations can be addressed,” work has escalated at an alarming pace, she said.

Mr Andrews said the city had received approval from Heritage Western Cape (HWC) last January for work to be carried out in Chapel Street.

“Heritage studies and considerations have been incorporated prior to construction; the pebble material is being stockpiled for heritage review,” he said. 

Ms Kleinhans-Cedres alleges that contractors are crushing the pebbles, while Mr Andrews said that the contractor has been instructed to stockpile material and is prohibited from crushing, repurposing, or reusing any material until heritage has completed the appropriate investigation.

SAHRA spokesperson Kamohelo Chabalala told the Tatler that they are aware of the development and acknowledged that the Zeenatul Islam Mosque, which is alongside Chapel Street, has been declared a National Heritage Site.

SAHRA said the proposed upgrades of Chapel Street were following a development appreciation process where HWC would decide in terms of section 38(1) of the National Heritage Resources Act.

In a document by SAHRA, they indicated that they were satisfied that the proposed upgrades to Chapel Street will not detract from the significance of the declared Zeenatul Islam Mosque.

At the time of going to print, HWC had not responded to an enquiry by the Tatler.

Mr Andrews said that work is expected to be completed by September next year, and urged all residents to bring their concerns to the community liaison officers, who will then report back to the project manager. 

Mr Andrews said that all complaints will be taken seriously. 

Other concerns raised by residents were that contractors were causing damage to the fibre lines, which affected internet service, while another resident, who prefers not to be named, slipped on a step that was placed near her place by a contractor. 

Mr Andrews said that residents can claim liability by submitting a claim on the city's website.