Opening Prasa-owned properties in Woodstock for market development help rid community of social ills on the land

The Woodstock community may expect relief from the social ills accumulated from Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) owned properties as plans to open the land for market development have been revealed.

Prasa reassured the public their properties were not neglected and plans were under way.

The success of the project would put an end to the Mascani informal settlement located in Railway Road at the border of the Church Street Bridge in Tide Street and Beach Road.

For many years the area has been home to vagrants and criminal elements, who pained the police, Prasa and the commuters as robberies, substance abuse and vandalism occurred in the vicinity.

Yet this is one of Prasa’s continuous attempts to reclaim its properties and revamping them into commercial relevant facilities across the city.

Prasa spokesperson Zino Mihi, said they offered the property in Woodstock to a public process for market development proposals.

“Parties interested in submitting development proposals were not restricted to any preferred usage of the property.

“Prasa is currently in the process of evaluating the market responses.

“The criteria in the evaluation process includes the benefit of the development proposal to us and the surrounding community.

“Once the internal process is finalised, we will make an announcement.

“It is of importance to note that all statutory requirements will be adhered to in the proposed development of the property,” Mihi said.

Prasa started off by removing trespassers and deploying mobile security staff to patrol the site.

Residents said it could mark victory, but knowing Prasa, it could be empty promises.

Shamiel Abbas, a resident and an executive member of the Central Woodstock Neighbourhood Watch, said although the plot was in the industrial area there was a need for social housing and would welcome considerations of either a commercial or residential development.

“We had issues with that section of Woodstock for too long and any sort of development would make a huge improvement in our community.

“This would permanently ensure removal of the squatters and criminal elements.

“But it is advisable that Prasa puts a security system in the meantime as we are still experiencing recurring incidents despite joint operations between the law enforcement agencies,” Abbas said.

Police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk, saidt: “We do patrol this area daily and there is Prasa securities on the rail environment.

“Theft cases have been reported and the premises are raided regularly for substances and we made huge successes there.”

“Prasa further wishes to highlight that there is no informal structures in the area referred to as Mascani.

“It has been noted that vagrants trespass onto the Prasa land in the area and acts of criminality by the vagrants have been reported,” Mihi said.

The City of Cape Town said it was not aware of the development plans.