LEGAL GATED COMMUNITIES A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT

By Cllr Christa Spoelstra

The misleading ANC Motion submitted at the last Council meeting regarding the restriction of access to public places was challenged by the DA today. The motion is nothing less than an amateur attempt to score cheap party political points.

The DA is completely against illegal actions by the public but is supportive of initiatives that comply with the law. Legal gated communities are a response to the high crime rate and the lack of proper safety and security measures. Its aim is to protect lives and property, regardless of race or creed.

One of the ground rules of an application is that no one should be denied access to any of these restricted areas. Freedom of movement is thus not affected. It is a myth that only rich people apply for gated arrangements. Residents across the race spectrum benefit from restricted areas and support the applications.

Due to the fact that the Municipality took so long to lift the moratorium on applications for gated communities following a High court case in 2009 and the high crime rate in the City, some of the communities took the illegal route to close the streets in certain areas. The City Planning Committee asked for a report on the 20th January 2010 of the current situation regarding the restriction of access within the City of Tshwane as a whole to establish legality of restriction of access to public places throughout the City. In the future action will be taken against Illegal Gated Communities.

Our Constitution states that it is our right as South African citizens to protect ourselves in our country and our homes. The SAP is also in support of these closures because it strengthens their hands in the combat against crime.