Jacob Beute, Muizenberg
Having previously mentioned the problem with squatting behind the Muizenberg police station, I would like to suggest that the area be turned into 15 residential plots to prevent this prime land from becoming a full-blown squatter camp.
Allowing a squatter camp here, above the park greens, will no doubt hurt the up-and-coming Muizenberg.
Sadly, the land behind the police station has already been trashed.
Already, there is one very large historical residential plot with gardens and even some vines above the park.
I have often wondered why vines are prominently shown on the original 1895 to 1913 Kalk Bay-Muizenberg municipal coat of arms. There must have been more vines on these slopes below Boyes Drive.
This large property lies below Boyes Drive, to the north of the Camp Steps/Road and above the Muizenberg Synagogue. The views from there are perfect for a residential development.
The needed infrastructure and an access road serving these plots should not be a problem: extend the existing Camp Road and property services northwards.
Allowing this land to be developed will create extra revenue for the City, and it may well solve the squatter problem in the park.
Until some decades ago, Muizenberg was South Africa’s topmost prime holiday resort – lets not allow it to degrade to squalor.