Background of Area | Project Overview | Community Meeting | The Way Forward | ALL MULTIMEDIA

The area is flat, dry, and dusty.  Most houses in Extensions 6 to 9 are small and grey, interspersed with the occasional shocking pink or lime green home.  The streets are always thronged with people walking, chatting or leaning against the broken fences enjoying the sun.

Domestic animals roam casually in between the residents, grazing on the sparse dull grass.  This day-time activity is in stark contradiction with the night-life.  Most community members try to be indoors by 8 p.m. and those who don’t are on either the giving or the receiving end of crime.

Alcohol abuse seems to be a common occurrence throughout the area and as a result the taverns are always abuzz with activity.  House breaking and contact crimes such as rape, assault and domestic violence are rife with most people having been affected by a crime-related incident at one point or other.

While crime is rampant it seems police visibility is limited and there is a general lack of faith in the authorities amongst people in the community.  However, perhaps a more disturbing concern is the veil of secrecy surrounding crime. Victims often remain silent without even reporting the crime to the police for fear of further victimisation.

These people are desperate for change. They are tired of falling victim to crime and they are sick of being trapped in their own homes. Speaking openly about crime is taboo amongst community members. Without anyone to turn up the volume and make themselves heard, crime will continue to be the loudest voice.  

Flimsy fences separate the residents of Extension 6.

Livestock roam the street freely.

A tarred road - a rare occurrence in this area.

Only a lucky few can afford to protect their homes against crime.

One of the many taverns frequented by locals.

The Municipality building, where they can afford high fences..

The roadsides of the Extensions are lined with rubble and rubbish.

A lonely Hi-tech sign in the Extensions. There are not many of its kind here.

A goat wanders freely between cars and pedestrians..