Kewtown homeowners face crackdown for illegal shebeen activities

Four homeowners in Kewtown were identified for allowing their properties to be used  as shebeens, by drug users and criminals.

This came to light during a recent operation carried on by the police, law enforcement and the neighbourhood  watch, targeting problem buildings and illegal outlets. 

This is just the tip of the iceberg as the Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis continues with clampdowns on problem buildings in the greater Cape Town, with a total of 922 on their list.

In July, the city revealed that they have since closed more than 500 problem homes in the last five years with just over 300 still being actively investigated and prompted for possible closure and declared a problem building or demolition, with communities such as Lentegeur, Mitchells Plain and Wynberg also reaping the benefits.

The City's Mayco Member for safety and security, JP Smith, took part in the action in Kewtown following a call from the neighbourhood watch and said community involvement is key to improving safety.

The City’s Problem Buildings Unit inspected four properties identified by the community and issued three notices for code violations. In addition, ten properties linked to illegal liquor sales were checked, with abandoned liquor confiscated at one site.

“When visiting the properties identified by the neighbourhood watch as either drug outlets or illegal liquor outlets, many of the homeowners vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Among the main concerns were the four problem properties where it was clear that the owners had allowed drug users and other criminal elements to move in,” Smith said.

Vehicle checkpoints were set up across Kewtown, Gatesville, and along Klipfontein Road. These led to almost R70 000 in fines for offences such as unlicensed driving, ignoring stop streets, and using a cellphone while driving. 

Patrols in the Gatesville CBD found a number of violations, including illegal trading and public drunkenness. Officers also reported two people for using drugs in public.

“Our teams will also be keeping a close eye on the activities at the properties identified and will return on an ad hoc basis,” Smith said.

Adams commended the walkabout and said patrols send an important message to the community.

“Such operations are fundamental and most important. It is important for the community to see the value of neighbourhood watches and other law enforcement agencies. We are trying to encourage residents not to condone crime,” he said, adding that the delivery of equipment to the watch team would strengthen their patrols.

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