National Coloured Congress Pushes for Criminal Charges Over Neglected Staircases in Cape Metro

Amid rising concerns over neglected infrastructure, the National Coloured Congress (NCC) is gearing up to hold the City accountable for its failure to undertake crucial repairs on the staircases of numerous flats in Mitchells Plain, an issue that illustrates wider neglect across the Cape Metro region.

According to the NCC, an independent assessment will be conducted on Monday, February 26th at noon, targeting staircases at flats 14 to 40 Perseus Road, Woodlands, Mitchells Plain. This examination, which will be publicly disclosed, is intended to verify previous findings by a city engineer which condemned the staircases as far back as 2017. Despite the availability of funding, as claimed by the mayor, these dangerous staircases have yet to be addressed, continuing to endanger the lives of residents.

The independent assessment will be carried out by a credible structural engineer, alongside a registered health and safety practitioner, to ensure the integrity of the findings. The stakes are high, as the City’s negligence has already led to avoidable injuries among residents, raising serious legal implications. The NCC emphasizes the urgency of the matter, pointing to the high likelihood of fatalities if the structural vulnerabilities result in falling concrete.

In an alarming revelation, the NCC has possession of a city manager’s admission confirming that the cancellation of the repair works was unlawful. Yet, until now, no concrete steps have been taken to rectify this. The situation is compounded by the City's refusal to provide essential documentation; a denial that supposedly has shielded the responsible parties from facing justice until now.

Should the findings from the independent assessment confirm the poor state of the staircases and identify them as a significant safety hazard in line with the city engineer's assessment, the NCC has vowed to take immediate action. This includes lodging criminal charges at the Lentegeur police station against all implicated officials and politicians. These charges will not only stem from willful negligence but also from the alleged misinformation pertaining to the allocation of funds for repairs.

This incident is not isolated to Woodlands, Mitchells Plain alone. Several similar cases have been identified across the broader Cape Metro area, extending to Ocean View, Lavender Hill, Parkwood, Hanover Park, Atlantis and more. Such widespread infrastructure dilapidation calls into question the City's commitment to public safety and the proper use of government funds earmarked for maintenance and repairs.

The NCC’s course of action highlights the need for transparency and accountability in local governance, and stresses the potential criminal implications of inaction on matters of public safety. As residents anxiously await the outcome of Monday’s assessment, the NCC stands firm in their resolve to seek justice and ensure a safe living environment for all those affected.