Make-shift speed humps cause a hazard for incoming cars.
Image: Picture: Supplied
The community of Ottery have taken matters in their own hands following more fatal shootings in the area.
As a last resort, residents have created their own "speed humps" in Hector Avenue to slow down cars in an attempt to prevent drive-by shootings. The latest death occurred on Saturday April 12.
Wynita Kleinsmith, former spokesperson for Grassy Park police station, said a docket for murder was opened on April 12, at 8am. "A 25-year-old male was shot multiple times. One suspect was arrested and appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court in connection with a gang-related situation.” The outcome was not yet determined.
The Ottery residents had been experiencing drive-by shootings recently and the make-shift speed humps were used to curb the shooters.
Image: Picture: Supplied
Three years ago, residents were also confronted with several drive-by shootings. In 2022, Ottery residents had also put items in the road to slow down cars passing through the area.
One family in Ottery suffered a double tragedy. Four-year-old Scarlett Cottle was shot and killed while sitting on her bed, playing on her mother’s phone in their wendy house on the corner of Bruce Road and Edward Street. Scarlett’s mother, 26-year-old Monique Cottle, later suffered the same fate when she was shot and killed while sitting with her partner and friends at Radnor Court (“Gang conflict claims more lives,” 2022, Southern Mail).
After residents signed petitions and met with the sub-council, the City of Cape Town installed speed humps in Lotus River in June 2022 in Edward Road, Stephen Road, Stanley Road, Gemsbok Avenue (Third to Fourth Avenue), Isaac Road, Kevin Road, Cynthia Road, Esther Road, Doreen Road and George Road.
Resident Alecia Swain said after the speed hump installations, crime had decreased. However, residents said Hector Road was the only road that needed a speed hump, and drive-by shooters had a field day speeding down the road while firing shots.
Ms Swain said the residents took action. In 2023, they had a meeting with law officials and JP Smith, Mayoral committee member for safety and security, to discuss the installation of speed humps on Hector Avenue.
Stones and bins were used to slow down drive-by shooters.
Image: Picture: Supplied
Ms Swain said that two years later, “nothing has been done".
"Random bullets have been fired. After the April 12 shooting, people started making speed humps again with sticks, bricks, and bins.”
Badronessa Harris said they had spoken to ward councillor William Akim about installing speed humps on Hector Avenue.
Ms Harris said although people had blocked half of the road with stones and bricks, drive-by shooters go into the flats’ driveways off Hector Avenue and shoot out of their vehicles, so people have also blocked the flats’ entrances with bins and stones.
Andre Barends said the residents made a speed hump on the left side of the road, then a few meters later, they blocked the right side with bins, stones, and sticks, forcing cars to drive in a zigzag pattern.
However, he said the makeshift speed humps can be a nuisance to residents themselves.
"We have to go to work, and transport can’t come into our area. It also damages tires when driving over bricks. Taxis stopped driving through our area because of the shootings and makeshift speed humps.”
Mr Barends said that if proper speed humps are installed on Hector Avenue, then “we don’t need the makeshift speed humps".
Mr Akim said: “I will follow up with this request at the sub-council as ward allocation funding must be made available in the next financial year, 2026/2027, or the roads department must find additional capital funding.”
Kevin Southgate, chairperson of Sub-council 18, said: “The request was submitted and is currently undergoing assessment.”