CITY OF CAPE TOWN

26 MARCH 2020

STATEMENT BY THE EXECUTIVE MAYOR, ALDERMAN DAN PLATO

City finalises plans for essential services during COVID-19
lockdown

The City of Cape Town is primed to continue delivering essential services to
residents during the three-week lockdown that takes effect at midnight.

However, we have had to institute mitigation measures to ensure that we
operate within the framework of the lockdown, as set out by the President in
his address to the nation earlier this week, and that we abide by the hygiene
and social distancing protocols that have been advanced since the virus
was first detected in South Africa.

The City would therefore like the public to take note of the following
arrangements that have been put in place:

City clinics

Clinics across the City will still operate for the collection of medication and for
primary health-care services. When visiting a clinic, all patients are required to
maintain social distancing and ensure that they make use of the provided
hand-sanitiser. The City of Cape Town, in conjunction with the Metro District
Health Service, is looking at various ways in which to reduce the number of
clients presenting at health facilities.

A number of initiatives have already been undertaken, while others are in the
pipeline. These include:
• Increasing chronic medication packs to last for two months – and three
months in some instances
• Establishing quick pick-up points for medication outside the clinic
• Nurses giving medication for minor ailments from the consulting rooms
to lighten the load on the facility pharmacies
• Where possible, home deliveries of medication by Community Health
Workers of NGO partners
• Spacing/postponing non-essential follow-up appointments
• Installation of tents where clients will be triaged, before they enter the
facility.
• Educating the community at large on the importance of social
distance.

We urge the communities to understand the inevitable delays resulting from
the implementation of these new measures. Ultimately, we require the
public’s assistance during the lockdown period and we urge residents to
please only visit their clinic if they are in urgent need of medical care.

Safety and Security

The Safety and Security operations during the lockdown will continue with key
departments geared to protect citizens, property and the City’s emergency
response teams.
The Cape Town Traffic Service and Law enforcement operations will remain
operational during this time. Additionally, the Fire and Rescue Services will
remain operational. We continue to request that all residents adhere to the
lockdown regulations to ensure the safety of themselves and other residents.
The Metropolitan Police Service during this time will work with our national
security forces, the South African Police Services (SAPS) and South African
National Defence Force (SANDF) to monitor and enforce strict adherence to
the guidelines outlined by the President during the 21 days lockdown.
The Disaster Operations Centre will be activated and run 24 hours a day
during this period, which acts as a central information point to communicate
swiftly with the public during emergencies. This centre plays an essential role
in coordinating and integrating multiple emergency services and other
essential services to ensure that these organisations work together, to ensure
effective response and recovery from disasters.
The City’s 107 operation centre will remain open during this period. The City
reminds the public to please save the number for the Public Emergency
Communication Centre on their cell phones.
The number to dial in the event of an emergency is:
Telephone (24-hour emergencies): 107 (landline) or 021 480 7700 (cellphone)
In addition, City emergency and policing vehicles have started loud hailing
across areas communicating the lockdown and disseminating information on
basic health and safety measures.

Waste Removal

Every effort will be made to ensure collection of Solid Waste continues as
normal, however this may be affected due to staff availability. If services are
affected, residents should please take their bin out every morning (preferably
by 06:30 when trucks start clearing their beats) and taking it back in every
night after 21:00 until it is collected. Current indications are that delays should
not last for more than a week, and in most cases, backlogs will be cleared
more quickly.
Impact to services going forward is however difficult to predict at this stage.
Residents should be aware however that lower income and higher density
areas are being prioritised due to increased risks of the disease spreading
quickly in these areas. In order to protect staff delivering this vital service, we
will be ensuring that social distancing is practiced and providing necessary
protective equipment. In addition, we request that all waste coming from a
property where someone has been diagnosed with, or is showing symptoms
of the COVID-19 virus, is double-bagged.

Residents are encouraged to submit service requests using the following
channels:

• Call 0860 103 089 (choose option 1 for Solid Waste and option 2 for
water-related matters)
• Online
www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests<http://www.capetown.gov.za
/servicerequests

Water and Sanitation

Water and Sanitation Services will ensure the services will continue as an
essential service. Services such as, water distribution, conveyance of
wastewater and the management of all pump stations will carry on as in
normal circumstances. All aspects of bulk water treatment, conveyance and
storage including operation, maintenance and repair of associated
infrastructure as well as internal administrative support and quality
management will remain fully operational. The testing and sampling of the
water to ensure compliance with national standards and regulation by
Scientific Services is deemed essential and will continue. Meter management,
and support relating to leak detection, pressure management and
emergency protocols relating to pollution and spills will continue,Meter
reading will be suspended for the period of lockdown and affected residents
will receive estimated accounts, based on their normal consumption.

Residents can still submit service requests related to:

• Burst mains
• No water at a property
• Stolen meter
• Water quality complaints
• Sewer blockages/overflows
• Pump station faults/overflows
• Servicing of septic tanks
• Missing/stolen manhole covers.



Residents are encouraged to submit service requests using the following
channels:
• Call 0860 103 089 (choose option 1 for Solid Waste and option 2 for
water-related matters)
• For water matters, please email
water@capetown.gov.za<mailto:water@capetown.gov.za or SMS
31373 (max of 160 characters)
• Online
www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests<http://www.capetown.gov.za
/servicerequests

Energy and Climate Change

Electricity services
The only service that will continue to be offered will be first line response to
network faults and breakdowns. Repairs that are imperative from a safety
perspective will be prioritised. Repairs on streetlights will be done only if, after
an assessment, it is deemed a safety risk for the community or electricity staff.

For faults and emergencies please send an SMS to 31220, or email
power@capetown.gov.za or faultreport.centre@capetown.gov.za

Customers can buy prepaid electricity via their cellphones or online. Please
register on one of the following websites first:
• Electricity.co.za (EFT)
• Prepaid24.co.za (EFT, Receive token via sms and email)
• Power24.co.za (EFT, Receive token via sms and email)
• EasyPay (Credit cards)
• ibuy (Credit cards)
• Ontec (Credit cards)

Those customers who cannot make use of online or cellphone options should
be able to purchase electricity units from retailers offering this service.

Meter electricity meter readings
No on site meter readings will be done during this period.
Billings will be based on estimations done over the lockdown period
compared to the usage over the same period in 2019. After the lockdown
period, normal billing procedures will resume.

To submit your own reading:
• Register on www.capetown.gov.za/Cityconnect to insert a reading
• Read your own meter on a regular basis and send a photo of the
meter reading by email to Electricity.MeterReading@capetown.gov.za
or phone 021 444 6286/8432/8478/1554 or 0860 103 089 to give your
meter reading

Transport
A reduced MyCiTi bus service will continue to operate throughout the
lockdown period. The City will continue with its rigorous cleaning regime and
safety protocols. In order to align to National Regulations and requirements to
maintain social distancing, buses will accommodate up to 50% of their
passenger capacity.

The Transport Management Centre will remain operational to respond to any
incidents on the city’s road network. The maintenance and operations of the
city’s traffic signal network will continue. Teams responsible for the
maintenance and repair of the major arterial roads will remain operational.

Please note that customer requests relating to the road network, including
pothole repairs, will only be responded to if urgent and essential.

Cemeteries

Cemeteries will remain operational as an essential service, on condition that
the following strict conditions are adhered to:

• The Cemetery Booking Offices will, with immediate effect, only accept
electronic email submission of mandatory documents. No burial will be
allowed without ALL mandatory documents, including proof of
payment having been received 24 hours before burial.
• Kindly note that all original documents for information affidavits which
are submitted electronically, will need to be held in safekeeping by the
undertakers, should these be required at a future date.
• Additionally, in-person visits to the Cemetery Booking Offices by
members of the public, undertakers and stonemasons are suspended
until further notice.
• No memorial permits, exhumation permits nor confirmation of burial
certificates will be issued during the lock-down period.
• Cemeteries will accommodate burials, subject to ongoing national
directives which may impose further restrictions.
• From Friday, 27 March 2020, all attendance will be strictly limited to
immediate family only. A maximum of 50 people including undertakers
and staff per burial.
• Social distancing guidelines must be strictly adhered to at all times at
cemeteries.
• Time spent at the graveside will be limited to a maximum of 30 minutes.
• Strict limitations on number of burials per day and adherence to
timeslots will be enforced to avoid compromising social distancing
guidelines.
• Cemetery officials will be limited to operational hours only, with the
exception of specific religions that require burial on the same day
before sunset.

Finance

All cash offices will be closed, however customers can still make use of EFT
and online options to pay their accounts. Payments are crucial to enable the
City to remain financially healthy and to continue providing services, while
we all fight the COVID-19 pandemic together. If you have any further
enquiries or need assistance with the settlement of debt, reconnections or
how to make payments, please phone 0860 103 089. For indigent assistance
please send an email to indigent.relief@capetown.gov.za.

Please use the following convenient payment options:
• Online payments: Visit www.Easypay.co.za or www.payCity.co.za
• EFTs: Select the City of Cape Town as a bank-listed beneficiary on your
bank's website. Use only your nine-digit municipal account number as
reference
• For convenience and peace of mind, you may pay your account at
any of these listed vendors while doing your essential lockdown
shopping: Checkers, Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Spar and Woolworths
Please note:
• Billings will be based on estimations to avoid huge bills when readings
are finally done. Estimations will be done over the lockdown period
and compared to the same period in 2019.
• Invoices will not be printed and posted, but previous invoices could be
used to pay an equivalent amount, but invoices could be emailed if
customers request it via email at copy.invoice@capetown.gov.za
Please use eServices or register for eServices for a host of online City services,
including invoices or billing amounts: http://www.capetown.gov.za/City-
enforced at all courts in order to comply with the recommended social
distancing rules. Those who want to pay fines or warrants can only do so via
www.paycity.co.za as no payments will be processed at the courts.
A further release detailing transport measures will be issued shortly.


End

Issued by: Media Office, City of Cape Town

Media enquiries: media.account@capetown.gov.za
roughly 6 000 homeless residents in the city; 4 000 who sleep on the streets
and 2 000 who make use of the City facilitated night shelter offering.
The City of Cape Town is establishing temporary accommodation for all
homeless residents during the national shut down and for the immediate
foreseeable future.
Paint City, in Bellville, will be used for this purpose and will provide the city’s
homeless with sanitation and electrical provision, and an opportunity to safely
self-isolate in a protected environment. The site will be made to individuals,
couples, and families of the homeless. The site is an extension of a current City
owned site and the structures provided will be temporary in nature. As such,
following the completion of the COVID 19 pandemic, the site will revert to an
alternate use. In the interim, the City will need to determine a sustainable
solution to addressing homelessness within Cape Town.
Facilities Management
City Facilities which support the delivery of critical services, such as health,
safety and security, water and sanitation and waste collection will remain
open to essential workers. Servicing of these facilities continues despite the
ongoing COVID-19 crisis, with increased health and safety actions
(heightened sanitation of sites) to mitigate against the spread of the virus.
All other City facilities will remain closed throughout the duration of the
lockdown. The facilities will be monitored by security services to prevent any
vandalism or unlawful occupation.
Fleet management
The City’s fleet services have been re-organised to support critical service
operations across the functions of the administration.
Fleet services will primarily support Health and Safety and Security services,
ensuring that maintenance and depot facilities will be available throughout
the lockdown. Fleet that supports on-going basic services such as water and
sanitation provision and waste removal will be accounted for, as will the
ability to perform emergency maintenance on any of the fleet that suffer
break-downs.
Surplus fleet will be utilised to support the transport of critical staff to their
various postings as well as in logistical undertakings of obtaining critical
supplies and equipment.
Court Services
The municipal courts will remain open and functional for matters that are set
down for hearing. Once the matters for the day are concluded, the courts
will close. Restrictions on access to court buildings are, however, being
SMS: 44108
• SMS your ID number with one space followed by your surname to 44108
to check your housing application status.

Housing Database online applications:
https://web1.capetown.gov.za/web1/HWL2012Online/ to complete an
application form.

Account payments – rental
• Go to your nearest Pick n Pay, Shoprite or Checkers shops to pay your
municipal accounts when you are able to do so. Please note
enhanced hygiene and social distancing measures in effect.
• Account payments remain vital to help the City function during this time.
The City is dependent on rental income for the maintenance of its rental
stock. Please help us by paying your dues to help us function and fight
COVID-19.

Informal Settlements
The City deems its basic service offering within informal settlements as ‘critical
services’. It continues to provide basic and essential services to existing and
historic settlements in accordance with the national standards where it is
possible to do so. The Western Cape Government and National Government
departments as well as the City are working together to achieve enhanced
COVID-19 measures for the most vulnerable groupings in society.
Therefore, the City is putting in place measures to ensure the continuation of
service delivery within informal settlements through the means of:
1. 1. Ongoing communication as to the City’s operational plans and
educational information detailing the dangers of COVID-19 and the best
means for combatting it. Communication will be digital in form (across social
media platforms and through bulk sms).
2. Distribution of water supply via water tankers that will be allocated to
specific informal settlements that do not have access to running water due to
these being recently occupied through land invasion or where it is impossible
to provide permanent services.
3. 3. Ongoing collection of waste within informal settlements
4. 4. Ongoing sanitation services within informal settlements
Arrangements for Homeless People
The City has harkened the words of the President and is making provisions for
those that are most vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19. Cape Town has
Connect/Register/eservices-and-municipal-accounts/Register-for-a-
municipal-account or http://www.capetown.gov.za/City-
Connect/Register/eservices-and-municipal-accounts/Register-for-e-billing

Motor Vehicle Registration offices
The City’s Motor Vehicle Registration and Licencing offices will be closed to
members of the public from the end of the working day today on
Wednesday, 25 March 2020. Extensions will be granted and no penalties will
apply over this lockdown period.

Human Settlements Directorate – projects and housing offices lockdown
arrangements

All housing offices will be closed to members of the public. Housing
development projects will also be suspended to adhere to the national
lockdown. Any engagements with consultants and contractors will be done
telephonically or online.

Only emergency housing services, such as with public housing, will be
continued in person with all necessary hygiene and social distancing COVID-
19 requirements in place.

Public Housing tenants - emergency

Should you be experiencing an emergency such as a burst water main or
geyser, among others please send a WhatsApp to 063 299 9927, please
provide the correct details to be assisted timeously. Such emergency services
will be the only service requests attended to.

This includes:
1. Emergency electrical work
2. Staircase and balustrade work
3. Plumbing work (only emergency plumbing and drainage maintenance
issues such as no water supply and blockages)
4. Area cleaning in the areas having refuse huts

Housing Database, maintenance, housing related queries:

WhatsApp: 063 299 9927
• Update of housing application details
• Housing database queries
• Housing maintenance complaints
• Housing-related queries

Email: housingdb@capetown.gov.za
• For all housing database queries

After trying to make application for patrollers to take to the streets and/or offer assistance to those who could be affected, the current situation is that:

At a PROV JOC meeting yesterday Volunteers of the CPF’S AND NHW’S ARE NOT EXEMPT IN TERMS OF THE DECLARATION AND ARE EXPECTED TO COMPLY FULLY WITH THE LOCKDOWN.

THIS THEREFORE MEANS NO PATROLLING ACTIVITIES

Dear Stakeholder
The national state of disaster in response to the Novel Coronavirus, and the full nation-wide lockdown declared by President Ramaphosa from 23h59 on Thursday 26 March 2020 until midnight 16 April 2020, requires that all South Africans must stay at home. Regulations issued on 25 March 2020 confirm that only a limited category of essential workers may continue to work. This includes police, traffic officers, peace officers, military and health personnel and private security services.

The PROVJOC meeting today confirmed to the Department of Community Safety that volunteers of the CPFs and NHWs are not exempt in terms of the declaration and are expected to comply fully with the lockdown. The Department will keep you informed of further developments.

The Department of Community Safety, working Better together to curb the spread of the virus.

Furthermore
We recommend that you stay informed about the latest developments on site and follow the instructions of the local authorities. For more information, please visit the following websites:
• http://www.health.gov.za/index.php/outbreaks/145-corona-virus-outbreak/465-corona-virus-outbreak
• http://www.nicd.ac.za/minister-of-health-south-africa-update-on-coronavirus-2/

Please rest assured that security companies/alarm response are classified as essential services in the Private Security Sector and thus will continue to work as usual. This also applies to our radio and camera/LPR controllers at CVIC (community control room). All aforementioned are PSIRA registered as security service providers. All non-essential personnel have already vacated the offices at Sondelani and will work from home.

All essential CVIC security personnel have been issued letters providing them with the authority to travel from their home to their place of work at Sondelani.

Their health is our highest priority, and we have put measures in place to safeguard them. This will include social distancing, and when responding to any situation please accept and understand that they will maintain distance.

We take this opportunity to thank our SSPs, controllers and ops for continuing to look after the safety of our community.

For those who asked questions regarding assisting with patrolling etc., this is currently NOT permitted, and you should comply with the requests from authorities. You could from within your property do an hour or so a day/night observing your street, and report anything suspicious to CVIC on 0860002669.

For those of you who have elderly neighbours living on their own please make sure you have their phone number to check on them every now and then.

STAY AT HOME, stay safe, your family comes first and remember our control room number 086 000 2669 for any emergencies.

Take care, look after yourselves.

Should the situation change we will be advised accordingly and will let you know.

Yours sincerely,

TNCW Executive Committee

The TNCW Whatsapp groups play such a crucial role in building community unity and keeping our residents and patrollers alert and informed of what is happening around us.

The TNCW phone that we utilise to communicate with you on our WhatsApp groups has unfortunately stopped working and we are in desperate need of a Smart Phone.

We are also in need of a rug/carpet for the TNCW office – it tends to get rather chilly in Winter and the cold can already be felt.

Please reply via return mail if you have a Smart Phone or a rug/carpet to donate to us, or contact us on 082 755 2818. It will be hugely appreciated.

It is with sadness that we inform you that Ian Basset has decided to resign as Chairman of TNCW Exco. Ian has accepted an exciting opportunity to work abroad. We can only say a big thank you to Ian for all the time and effort that he has given to the Tokai community and the greater community. He will be missed.

This brings us to looking for a TNCW member to take up the role of Chairperson. If you wish to nominate someone to stand on the committee please get their consent and advise us via return email. Please supply the nominee’s street address and contact details.

Your present TNCW committee for 2019 is as below and with the exception of the Chairman, have availed themselves for nomination for the TNCW Committee of 2020.
Ian Basset – Chairman [Standing Down]
Nadhia Smith – Secretary
Liz Newdigate – Treasurer
Ria Verhoef – Incident Manager
Liz Yeadon – Operations Manager
Patrick Yeadon – Operations Manager
Rowan Mills – Website
Ed Bain – Camera Project
Doreen Pears – PR & Communications
Laura Burford – Social Media

Street Co-Ordinators and Zone Managers play an important role in TNCW and we cannot thank them enough for the work that they do. We ask that you please consider volunteering to become a Street Co-Ordinator or Zone Manager. You will be trained in the role you accept in order to get you up to speed, it is not a daunting experience. Please reply to this email and we will get in contact with you.

Your TNCW Street Co-Ordinators compromises the following residents:
Zone A:
Ingrid Moore – Tudor Road and Oakley Avenue
Patrick Marsh – Forest Avenue and Victoria Close
Chad Smith – Glenbrae Avenue
Doreen Pears - Glenugie Avenue
Zone B:
Linda Storey – Sunwood Drive
Trish Bertrand – Perth Road
Patrick Yeadon – Vita Nova
Liz Yeadon – Vita Nova
Zone D: 
Geoff Carroll – Fir Lane
Zone F:
Andrea Hart – Robert Carr Avenue
Sandra Kruger – Cornuta Avenue and Stone Pine Close
Zone G:
Ed Bain – Maryland Avenue
Sue Frew – Mulder Close, Rossouw Avenue and Resthaven Drive
Heidi Marais - Mulder Close, Rossouw Avenue and Resthaven Drive
Peter Marais - Mulder Close, Rossouw Avenue and Resthaven Drive
Cathy Laird – Mohr Road
Sue Lambrecht – Sandberry Close
Graham Martin – Hawthorne Close
Graham Tait – Forest Row

High walls and electric fencing don’t stop criminals – what is needed is high visibility and the threat that should they venture into our neighbourhood they will be dealt with. The TNCW committee can be more effective if there is support from the community and if residents get involved. Contact us to become part of this vibrant committee.

The Tokai Neighbourhood Crime Watch AGM that was scheduled to take place on Thursday, 26th March 2020 at the Tokai Community Church has been postponed until further notice.

We are implementing the instruction of President Cyril Ramaphosa as in his statement on Sunday 15th March 2020 to combat the COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

The health and safety of the Tokai residents and our wider community is of utmost importance to us. As we have done previously in the past during other challenging situations, we will work together to keep our community safe and healthy.

Please continue to practice good hand-washing, social distancing, and other preventative hygiene measures.

Take care of one another and make sure to stock up on compassion.