Latest news with #JPSmith
The Herald
12-06-2025
- The Herald
More than 900 'problem buildings' in Cape Town
There are 922 problem buildings listed in Cape Town with 322 of those under active investigation by the city's law enforcement problem building unit. 'Problem buildings are categorised into various groups based on their status within the investigation process. Of the 922 properties listed, 35% (322 properties) are active cases,' according to the city. Other categories included: new cases (11 properties), recommended closed (72 properties), and closed cases (517 properties). 'The city's problem building unit has made great progress by working closely with other city departments ... The first step in addressing a problem building is reporting it and so we appeal to the public to report any potential risks in their communities. We have often seen that opportunistic criminals would use a derelict building to hide or to use such a building as a base of operations,' said safety and security MMC JP Smith. What constitutes a problem building is outlined in the 2020 Problem Property By-law which is divided into two categories: • Problem buildings: properties with legal, safety, or health-related noncompliance. • Buildings with problems: Properties with aesthetic or minor maintenance issues, such as unpainted surfaces, broken windows or overgrown grass. The registered owners of problem buildings are formally notified and given an opportunity to comply with the bylaw. TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
12-06-2025
- TimesLIVE
More than 900 'problem buildings' in Cape Town
There are 922 problem buildings listed in Cape Town with 322 of those under active investigation by the city's law enforcement problem building unit. 'Problem buildings are categorised into various groups based on their status within the investigation process. Of the 922 properties listed, 35% (322 properties) are active cases,' according to the city. Other categories included: new cases (11 properties), recommended closed (72 properties), and closed cases (517 properties). 'The city's problem building unit has made great progress by working closely with other city departments ... The first step in addressing a problem building is reporting it and so we appeal to the public to report any potential risks in their communities. We have often seen that opportunistic criminals would use a derelict building to hide or to use such a building as a base of operations,' said safety and security MMC JP Smith. What constitutes a problem building is outlined in the 2020 Problem Property By-law which is divided into two categories: • Problem buildings: properties with legal, safety, or health-related noncompliance. • Buildings with problems: Properties with aesthetic or minor maintenance issues, such as unpainted surfaces, broken windows or overgrown grass. The registered owners of problem buildings are formally notified and given an opportunity to comply with the bylaw.
Eyewitness News
05-06-2025
- General
- Eyewitness News
JP Smith says nothing implemented from agreement between national govt, WC govt, CoCT
CAPE TOWN - The City of Cape Town has again called for the urgent conclusion of the implementation agreement between national government, the province, and the City of Cape Town. In August last year, a cooperation agreement between the three spheres of government was signed to enhance collaboration between police and law enforcement to address crime concerns in the province. Ramaphosa described the move as historic. However, the city's Safety and Security MMC, JP Smith, said that nothing had been implemented from that agreement. The City of Cape Town's safety and security portfolio committee has endorsed a motion for the devolution of policing powers to the municipality. The motion mandates the city manager to approach national government to request the devolution of specific investigative, crime intelligence, and forensic powers to help police in their duties. Safety and Security MMC JP Smith explains: "The portfolio committee is saying to the city manager: 'We want you to now resort to the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act 13 of 2005, and if that doesn't get results, we want to formally go to court'. So, we are moving from asking to formal litigation." Smith added that many cities and provinces believe the days of national government running SAPS should pass.
Eyewitness News
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Eyewitness News
Thousands of runners set to turn out for Slave Route Challenge through Cape Town's CBD
CAPE TOWN - The 13th annual Slave Route Challenge takes place on Sunday, 1 June. The road race takes runners through Cape Town's historic landmarks and is a tribute to those who endured oppression and slavery. Various roads in the CBD will be affected on Sunday, from 4am until 11:30am. This includes the area around the Castle of Good Hope, including Lower Buitenkant Street, Sir Lowry Road, Hanover and Hatfield streets. The City of Cape Town's MMC for Safety and Security, JP Smith: "This Sunday, about 8,000 runners will take part in the Slave Route Challenge. The challenge follows a course steeped in Cape Town's layered past and is more than a race. The City of Cape Town is proud to support an event that commemorates the history of this city and honours those who played a part in making Cape Town what it is today."
Time Out
30-05-2025
- Time Out
Slave Route Challenge to disrupt CBD traffic
So first, the good news: the 13th edition of the Slave Route Challenge takes over the streets of Cape Town this Sunday (1 June 2025) with over 8000 runners tackling the 21km, 10km, and 5km routes that pay tribute to Cape Town's colourful, complex history. The bad news? Those 8000 runners are going to cause just a tiny bit of mayhem with CBD traffic, so if you had plans to hit Greenmarket Square, the Company's Garden or even the Waterfront, you're going to want to plan your route carefully. Locals can look forward to significant traffic disruptions across the CBD and surrounding neighbourhoods, with a number of key routes fully or partially closed from the early hours of the morning through to midday. The biggest closures include: Darling Street (between Plein and Buitenkant Streets): Full closure from 4am to 11.30am Sir Lowry Road (westbound): Between Tennant and Buitenkant Streets Hanover Street: Between Tennant and Sir Lowry, and again between Christiaan and Tennant Lower Buitenkant Street: Between Strand and Darling Hatfield Street: Between Roeland and Orange Additional lane closures and restricted access will impact major thoroughfares including: Roeland, Orange, Wale, Long, Loop and Somerset Roads Beach Road, Granger Bay Boulevard, Prestwich, Riebeek, and Adderley Streets Several MyCiTi bus routes will also be diverted or temporarily suspended. Affected routes include: 101, 102, 103, 109, 111, and 118 Key stop closures include Adderley, Lower Plein, District Six, and Alfred (on Somerset Road) 'We encourage motorists to plan alternate routes and allow extra travel time,' said Alderman JP Smith. For full road closure maps and public transport updates, visit
