Kraaifontein councillors are urging parents to keep their children indoors and obey the rules of the national Covid-19 lockdown.
However, Ward 111 councillor and Sub-council 2 chairperson Brenda Hansen says many in Scottsville are not listening.
“Children are playing in the streets and there are only a handful of people who are sticking to the rules.”
Police patrols needed to be beefed up but the “mentality of the public” also needed to change.
“Police are patrolling now and then, but they are just passing the people. We expected them to chase residents back into their homes, but this is not happening,” she said.
She had done a walk-about in the community last week, but people had ignored her and were going about life as normal, she said.
Ward 7 councillor Grant Twigg accompanied her and encouraged residents to practise personal hygiene and stay off the streets.
Ward 6 councillor Simpiwe Nonkeyizana said the Wallacedene informal settlement residents did not see the severity of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Children were standing together at spaza shops without practising social distancing.
“People in Wallacedene are using communal taps for hygiene purposes, and this is where they meet and have conversations with others instead of fetching the water they need and rushing home,” he said.
Mr Nonkeyizana said there were no yards in the informal settlement, and children continued playing with their friends.
However, he thanked those who were staying indoors and sticking to the rules.
Loriaan Croy, of Scottsdene, said she had reported activity in the community to the police but had been told that “police cannot be everywhere, all the time.”
“People don’t know how serious this virus is unless it happens to them or their family members. Parents should keep their children inside and find something to keep them busy. Most people are at home thinking it’s time to party while the rest of us are trying to stay healthy and safe,” she said.
Mediclinic Cape Gate issued a statement on Friday, April 3, urging people to stay indoors. According to the hospital’s spokeswoman, Madali Groenewald, they have one confirmed Covid-19 patient in ICU.
Other Covid-19 patients had recovered and been placed in self isolation at their homes, she said.
“The patient in question has been accommodated and is being seen to by nursing staff who are trained and equipped to manage the patient,” Ms Groenewald said.
So far, there had been no Covid-19 deaths at the hospital, she said.
“We continue to urge the public to take the necessary precautions when travelling to affected areas. We also encourage anyone experiencing signs and symptoms of the disease, such as shortness of breath, fever, sore throat, coughing or who believe that that they may have been exposed to the virus to contact their healthcare provider.”
Kraaifontein police spokesman Captain Hein Hendricks said police were doing their regular patrols in the areas, with the assistance of law enforcement agencies.
“As we enter the second week of the lockdown, Kraaifontein police calls on the community to stay within the confines of their homes during this period and only venture outside to buy essentials or to seek medical assistance. All residents found outside their home without a valid reason will be arrested and detained at Kraaifontein police station. They may be issued with a fine or released on a warning to appear in the Kuils River Magistrates’ Court after the lockdown period, with the courts having the power to impose a fine of prison sentence,” he said.
Most Kraaifontein residents were complying with the lockdown rules, he said.
Kraaifontein residents can report transgressions to Kraaifontein police at 021 980 5500, SAPS Crime Stop at 086 00 10111 or anonymously on MySAPSApp.