Fire Rages in Cape Town’s Deep South

Fire Rages in Cape Town’s Deep South
Muizenberg Fire
Image: Shirene Brielle

Firefighters are still trying to extinguish the blaze which is burning in the Far South.

According to a report from City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Theo Layne, the fire started on Sunday afternoon in Muizenberg and has spread all along the mountain slopes to Noordhoek.

He says four helicopters were deployed on Monday morning as most of the flames are inaccessible to ground staff.

“Several properties in the Noordhoek and Sun Valley area have been damaged in the fire and at this point we are trying to keep the rest of the properties safe. The fire has already stretched to De Goode Hoop Estate.”

South Peninsula Subcouncil chairperson Felicity Purchase says two of the properties affected are in Steenberg Estate and two in the Far South.

“I have been on the scene all morning and these are the only properties I know of. Noordhoek Manor was also evacuated and we have moved residents to Nerina Gardens, False Bay Hospital and the NG Kerk in Fish Hoek,” she says.

She confirms that Ou Kaapse Weg, Chapman’s Peak and Boyes Drive are closed.

Motorists are now using Main Road but several residents have reported major delays.

Simon’s Town residents report a travelling time of 1.5 hours between Fish Hoek and Kalk Bay.

Beware of Fraud in the Rental Market

Beware of Fraud in the Rental Market

crossed-fingers-at-handshakeThe public is urged to be aware of a bogus rental scheme that is taking place around the country.

This seems to work so well it has been gaining popularity!  Individuals pretend to be estate agents and target unsuspecting potential renters. They post details of rental properties online and then ask interested parties to secure the flat by paying a deposit, either in cash or via electronic funds transfer.
 
A Sea Point man was arrested in August on fraud charges after allegedly conning nine people after an advert on Gumtree.
 
The suspect reportedly advertised a flat for rent and then asked interested parties to secure the flat by paying a deposit and the first months rent, which in itself is normal terms and conditions. However, when it came time to move in, victims find the flat is occupied and the suspect has made off with the deposit.
 
These bogus agents inform potential renters that a number of people are interested in the property and are urged to view and pay the deposit and / or first months rent and they would get the property. With a tremendous scarcity it seems there are plenty of desperate tenants who fall for this.
 
Should tenants have an interest in a property it is recommend that you phone the local office of the estate agency to establish that the agent is a registered agent with that company. But of course it is easy to use the name of a real agent so do not just use the number you are given but look it up yourself.
 

Never transfer money without seeing a contract first or without verifying that you are dealing with the owner or the owner’s representative. Do not pay a deposit without solid confirmation that the organisation is following legal procedures. Easier said than done if you are desperate to secure the apartment.

Family Fun Day

Family Fun Day

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Please support the Family Fun Day and Food Drive for Hunger on Saturday, 4 October.
The main reason the Deep South Care2Share Club started was to help families in need who are going through bad times. They would like to be able to help those families with gifts of food.
Care2Share is pleading to the Valley to please help them to make this all come true. They have already managed to help a handful of families and have even managed to find the one mom a job
Please support them by coming on the day to this amazing event and if you bring along a bag of groceries your name will also be put into one of the amazing raffles of your choice!