Stealing from the community

On the night of June 30, vandals made use of the full moon to strip wood from one of the bridges in the Princess Vlei trail. They were interrupted by the City's Quemic rangers before they could make off with the stolen planks, but they managed to evade capture. 
   In the past few weeks, thousands of people have made use of this trail. So many have expressed delight at this community asset, which offers local residents a beautiful walk in nature, and a space to meet and connect with other community members.
 

This is an act of theft and destruction against the community. Those who did this are stealing from the people of Grassy Park, Lotus River, Lavender Hill, Retreat, Elfindale and beyond. Someone must know who did this - it was not a simple operation. We urge anyone with information to come forward.
   The Princess Vlei Forum is in discussion with the City to find solutions, which include  speaking to community forums such as Community Policing Forums, and Neighbourhood Watches, and making the CIty's security measures more effective - including the possible installation of CCV cameras. The City provides Quemic rangers who patrol the site 24/7, but rangers can’t be present everywhere all the time. Community support with security is vital as well.    We need all community members to get involved in helping us to protect this valuable community asset - an asset worth much in monetary terms but worth far more in what it brings to every child, elderly person, youth or adult  (and their dogs) who walk this trail. 
   When Cllr Southgate and City invested in this project there were critics who said, 'it'll just get vandalised', 'Princess Vlei is not worth it.'
  We know that Princess Vlei, and the communities who live around Princess Vlei, are worth this investment. It is even more important to create these spaces for communities who do not have easy access to other natural spaces in Cape Town. We call on all community members to support efforts to protect this trail, and to prove the critics wrong.