We are pleased to announce that subsequent to our court hearing on 22 and 25 September 2020, CoT Municipal Planning Tribunal (MPT) resolved that the SafeWaterkloof application be approved to proceed to public participation, concluding on 30 November 2020.  As such, the next step is to advertise the scheme and thereafter the MPT will convene on 27 January 2021 for consideration of any objections and to make recommendations to Tshwane’s Executive Authority for final approval. WAYLEAVE AND GUARD HOUSE POSITIONS We are pleased to announce that the cross cuts and services investigations, to determine the position of the guard house at the various gates along the perimeter of the scheme, has been completed.  We are now in a position to determine the exact location of the respective guard houses at each gate. DEPOSIT 2 We are delighted to report that the collection of Deposit 2 is currently underway with many residents electing to pay over a period of months rather than a once off, full payment.  The funds are being held in a trust account until such time we receive final approval of our application.  The R11 000 Deposit 2 is refundable should, for whatever reason, SafeWaterkloof not proceed. The banking details for Deposit 2 is as follows:Bank : NedbankAccount Name : Safe WaterkloofAccount Number : 1185885161Branch Code : 198765Account Type : Business BankingCALL FOR WATERKLOOF PROFESSIONALS TO SUPPORT The Waterkloof Homeowners Association (WHA) urgently requires the assistance of any Town Planners, Lawyers or Advocates who are able to donate their time and skills towards safeguarding the suburb.  If you are able to assist, please send us an e-mail to waterkloofhomeowners@gmail.comSTREET CAPTAINS A virtual Street Captain’s meeting was held on Tuesday, 22 September 2020 at 18h00 for an update of the SafeWaterkloof scheme as well as the focus areas over the coming months.  Street Captains are currently engaging with residents, encouraging non-participating residents to join SafeWaterkloof, and urging participating residents to start paying their second deposits over the following months.  This will ensure a fast construction start once final approval of the application is received. If you would like to become involved in the SafeWaterkloof initiative, please make contact with us at contact@safewaterkloof.co.za DERELICT AND ABANDONED PROPERTIES Are you located near to a derelict or abandoned property?  Or are you aware of a property, land or open area, etc. where suspicious individuals are hiding?  If so, please report the property address to contact@safewaterkloof.co.za and we will request security service providers to investigate the matter further. Till the next newsletter, please take care and stay safe!!! Sincerely Waterkloof Homeowners Association

When the City of Tshwane (CoT) failed to give final consideration to SafeWaterkloof’s (SW) application for monitored access, notwithstanding approval by its various internal departments, a decision was taken to launch an urgent application to the High Court to compel it to do so.

This application was set down for hearing on Tuesday, 22 September 2020 and after protracted discussions between both parties’ legal representatives and officials of COT, the following order was made on Friday, 25 September 2020:

1. the decision by COT not to previously convene a meeting to consider SW’s application was deemed unlawful and set aside;
2. its application will now serve before the Municipal Planning Tribunal (MPT) on 30 September 2020 for consideration and approval;
3. we will be advised of the outcome within one week and thereafter advertisements will be placed in the Provincial Gazette and in 2 newspapers advertising the monitored access;
4. the application will again be served before the MPT on 27 January 2021 for consideration, and the making of a recommendation to COT’s Executive Authority for a final decision;
5. in the event of the Executive Authority failing to take a decision within six weeks, the decision of the MPT will prevail; and
6. COT were also ordered to pay the SW legal costs.

While SW wished for immediate authorisation of the monitored access of Waterkloof and Waterkloof Ridge, certain set procedures need to be followed by COT before this can take place. The concern of CoT officials was that, if CoT due process was not followed, it opened the door for objections to what has been achieved so far, to be set aside and further delayed.

As opposed to COT having made no attempt to consider our application, it is now bound by set timelines which, if not followed, allows SW to again approach the court on an urgent basis.  SW is also in a position to approach the court at any time should circumstances in Waterkloof change.

The timelines for approval and execution are as follows:

1. Municipal Planning Tribunal (MPT) approval on 30 September 2020;
2. Authority given to place SW advertisements on 7 October 2020;
3. Municipal Planning Tribunal (MPT) final approval on 27 January 2021;
4. CoT 6 weeks processing of approval, etc. by 10 February 2021;
5. Tender for installation of security gates and fencing and Security Service Providers (SSP’s);
6. Appointment of contractors and SSP’s 10 March 2021; and
7. Commence with construction 15 March 2021.

Subject to the above process taking place and the necessary authority obtained from CoT, we foresee commencement with the monitored access in mid-March 2021.  Residents who have not yet signed up to SW are to consider becoming a member as the only way we will overcome the crime wave in Waterkloof is if we stand together.

In preparation for the closure, SW will shortly be approaching residents for payment of the second deposit.  Please support this initiative, it’s the only viable option to keep the suburb safe.

Waterkloof Homeowners Association is very grateful to resident Advocate Linde Putter SC for his pro bono work on the matter.  Without assistance from Linde, and that of his Junior, the court case would not have been possible to secure the SW initiative proceeds in an expedient timeframe. Waterkloof Homeowners Association is also very grateful to Findlay & Niemeyr Attorneys who once again assisted Waterkloof.  Thank you to all residents who have registered with SW and paid Deposit 2.  We firmly believe this is the only way to secure the future of the suburb and we need your support to make this possible.

On Thursday 17th September 2020, representatives met with all the security companies who have a presence within the Safe Waterkloof borders. Questions from residents were posed to those present and clarification was obtained on burning questions. The minutes of this meeting are available for download.

Why are we moving to Telegram?

We have too many social media groups that make it difficult to manage. The Waterkloof Homeowners Association committee agreed on 28th April 2020 to standardise Telegram, as the resident communication platform. Telegram allows up to 200,000 people on the same chat group, all residents will be vetted increasing the security of the group. It will also make life easier for the security companies as it means they only need to monitor one group. Once we are up and running the 911 Emergency WhatsApp Groups will be phased out. We will also be adding other groups as we go along. 

Planned Telegram Groups 

Phase 1

We plan on the following groups in phase 1:

1. 911 Emergency Waterkloof

Phase 2

Once pilots have been tested we will be able to migrate the other groups that have maxed out the WhatsApp ceiling of 256 members

2. Waterkloof Community Group
3. Waterkloof Walkways
4. Pet Group 

How to get on the Telegram 911 group

2 easy steps:

Installation & Registration 

The registration process is very similar to WhatsApp.  

Click here to install. If you have Telegram installed it will take you straight  to the registration screen. If you have not installed telegram then you will be directed to the App/Play store. 

You will be asked to verify your location. This is important because we want to limit this group to the Waterkloof boundary. If you try to register outside of Waterkloof it will not allow you in the group. You will also receive another location verification the following day. 

The steps are easy two screens that might be tricky.

Sharing location click on the 4 dots on the bottom right of your screen. 

There are a few other questions which we would like to ask you which we believe would be invaluable in securing Waterkloof as well as building community:

1. Your first name 
2. Your last name 
3. Cell number 
4. Email address
5. Street address 
6. Are you the owner?
7. Are you the person responsible for the SafeWaterkloof account?
8. Confirm SW account number
9. Is the property an Ambassadorial residence?
10. Total number of people living on the property over 18?
11. Total number of people living on the property under 18?
12. Do you have a domestic worker living on the property?
13. What is your security company?
14. What is your occupation? 
15. What interests/hobbies do you have?
16. Would you like to volunteer time to WHA?
17. Would you like to be a community street Captain?

WHA/SafeWaterkloof 911 Emergency Rules

To maximize the effectiveness of this group and any future groups we need to implement some rules so that we don’t get emergencies lost in chatter. Persons who do not abide by these rules will be removed from this group or any other group.

Description

This group is for emergencies only and is available to all residents of Waterkloof that are on the SW database. This includes the homeowner and partner. Others are allowed to join by invitation only. All members will be vetted for security. Initially we will include all  residents but once SW is up and running we will include only members of SafeWaterkloof.  

Any emergency event that is happening is deemed as justified i.e:

• Armed robbery
• A break in
• Any theft
• Request for urgent help
• Suspicious activity
• Concerns around security
• Urgent help medical/police. 

The rules, in line with all norms for social groups, are:

Members (general)

• Always keep to the group description! Don’t share/post irrelevant messages.
• Don’t post bygones. Keep the posting current.
• When posting about suspicious activity please include detail where possible.
• Always contact your security company first before posting on this group.
• When posting an emergency please post your address and if possible the name of your security company
• Don’t post personal thoughts, beliefs and comments.
• Don’t post  pictures
• Post your message in one single chunk of text, don’t post every word or sentence in a new message.
• Do not have one-on-one conversations in the group. Switch to private messages.
• Do not post between 21:00 and 05:00 unless it is an emergency. 
• If someone asks a question and you don’t know the answer don’t respond with “I don’t know”. Just wait for someone who knows the answer to reply.
• Don’t send personal messages. If you feel you need to make a personal response to an incident like “I hope all okay” do so in a private message.
• If someone asks a question don’t respond if someone else has already answered, or else respond to the person directly in a private message.
• The group is not a political or religious platform. No arguing, no heated opinions, no fear mongering, no hyped up drama, no fake news. Check your sources before you share.
• No posting of any advertisements is allowed
• Never EVER use a group to berate someone else or air grievances. If you have an issue address it one on one with the relevant person.

Members (security companies)

• No stickers allowed
• Only the first responder may respond as to outcome
• Standing down messages are not required from other security companies

There is a high probability that many thieves live in our suburb in an abandoned house. If you suspect a derelict house – please Write to Martin Van Niekerk at martinvn@tshwane.gov.za and explain that it has become a derelict building. A picture and owner’s contact details helps. please CC panelsa1@gmail.com if in ward 42 or Siobhan ward82pta@gmail.com ward 82 and complete the form below so that Waterkloof HomeOwners can track it and do a bulk follow through for the entire Waterkloof.

If you suspect a house of either being derelict or abandoned please log here

As residents know SafeWaterkloof lodged its application for the closure of Waterkloof and part of Waterkloof Ridge with Tshwane.  This was approved subject to confirmation by the Spatial Land Development Tribunal (SLDT). Because of Tshwane being placed under Administration and possibly also as a result of the Lockdown, the convening of the SLDT has not taken place notwithstanding countless enquiries and demands by ourselves.  SafeWaterkloof has now taken legal advice from Gary Duke Attorneys in Johannesburg. They specialise in municipal related matters and their recommendation is that an application be made to the High Court for authority for us to commence with the implementation of the proposed security measures in our areas, i.e the Second Phase of the project. Instructions have accordingly been given to these attorneys to commence with the drafting of papers and we will keep you posted of developments.

Every 4 years the City of Tshwane evaluates the valuation of our properties and increases the values.

This year the date for submitting objections to the valuation  of properties have been extended to 26 June 2020. 

The Valuation Roll is available on the City of Tshwane website bit.ly/valuation-roll. OR http://www.tshwane.gov.za/sites/residents/Services/Pages/PropertyValuations.aspx

For your own properties the proposed *new valuations* have been shown on the monthly statements in the area where property rates are calculated. Most of the other required information can also be copied from the statement.

The prescribed forms for the lodging of an objection are obtainable below:

▪ Objection forms for Residential Properties – https://bit.ly/2XdBgcY

▪ Objection forms for Business Properties – https://bit.ly/2RgZ6Rg

▪ Objection forms for Agricultural Properties – https://bit.ly/3aN46oz

The closing date for objections has been extended to 12:00 on 26 June 2020.

Please note that no objection will be considered by the Municipality unless it is on the prescribed form and lodged before the closing date.

Due to the lockdown, *objection forms may be e-mailed* to sherryh@tshwane.gov.za.

For enquiries please phone or e-mail:

Sherry Hendricks

012 358 8377

SherryH@tshwane.gov.za

OR

Letticia Tshuto

012 358 8343

LetticiaR@tshwane.gov.za

Regards

Waterkloof HomeOwners Association

Dear SafeWaterkloof Member

SAFEWATERKLOOF APPLICATION MAKING GOOD PROGRESS

Approval Process

The following is an update from our December 2019 newsletter.  Our application has successfully passed through the various departments at City of Tshwane (CoT) and they have unanimously recommended and supported the scheme to the Spatial Land Development Tribunal (SLDT).  The Waterkloof Homeowners committee has written numerous letters to the authorities and Executive Mayor regarding the application being placed on the SLDT agenda. We have been informed the necessary submissions have been completed for the application to be reviewed at the end of February 2020.  We will however only be in a position to confirm later this month if the application is indeed on the agenda, and will communicate this to you in the following newsletter.

Once approved by the SLDT, there is a period for public participation of 40 days and thereafter the scheme will most likely proceed to a Special Tribunal (should public objections be received, which cannot be mitigated) with final approval expected in June 2020.  In the interim, members of the community have started a community patrolling initiative in conjunction with the Community Policing Forum, which will hopefully curb the alarming number of crimes which plague Waterkloof and Waterkloof Ridge.

We are confident the security initiative will be approved by the SLDT, it is also fully supported by City of Tshwane as well as both ward councillors.  

Patrols

Awesome News – We have started Waterkloof Community Patrols in the Waterkloof area to fight crime – thank you Cobus. This is a great joint initiative between CPF Sector 2 and Waterkloof. The community patrolling initiative will assist in alleviating the problems we face during the interim (before monitored access), however for this scheme to be effective, we require volunteers to participate by way of patrolling streets, etc.  While patrolling during evenings and at night are particularly important, patrolling during the day would also be a valuable contribution given the number of crimes committed during the day. Should you be in a position to assist with this worthy interim initiative, please make contact with us per e-mail patrols@safewaterkloof.co.za or:

In order to participate:

a. Simply register here on the website www.safewaterkloof.co.za/patrols/

b. SafeWaterkloof will verify your information an email and link to the group giving you access to the booking system (Google Sheet) here to start booking your time slots.

We’ve divided the Waterkloof suburb into 6 areas as per SafeWaterkloof see map below:

In the next newsletter we hope to have feedback of the submission to the SLDT, and commencement of the public participation process.  We are nearing the end of a long and arduous process, but the end is in sight.  Until then take care and be vigilant. 

If you have any queries, please contact us.

Sincerely

SafeWaterkloof committee

A Subcommittee of the Waterkloof Homeowners Association 

Thanks to residents who started the patrols. This is now fully supported by the WaterKloof Homeowners. We believe that this measure will definitely help to reduce crime in our suburb. We the patrol tab on the website for more info.

We will more than likely be on the SLDT agenda end of Feb 2020, which means we could get approval at the same meeting. Once approved we will enter to a 40 day objection period. If we receive objections we will have a tribunal hearing. At the hearing if final approval will be given.

Payment Deposit 2 to date see below. We believe that once we get approval these numbers will increase substantially.