Cape Town’s Graffiti Unit continues crackdown as murals spark debate

The Graffiti Unit of the City of Cape Town remains actively engaged in addressing the proliferation of unauthorised artworks, gang-related markings, and murals. Also read: Missing hiker linked to CoCT’s R2.5 million fraud scandal According to Wayne Dyson, the spokesperson for law enforcement, a significant area of 11 519 square meters of graffiti has been eradicated since May of the previous year, with Hanover Park, Mitchells Plain and Atlantis being the areas with the highest concentration of cleared graffiti. Moreover, a total of 31 murals have received official approval within the same time frame. JP Smith, the mayoral committee member overseeing safety and security, emphasised that the Graffiti Unit is responsive to public grievances regarding illicit graffiti, tagging and gang symbols throughout the metropolis. In the span of January to September 2022, the unit eradicated 17 283 square metres of graffiti. In the corresponding period of 2023, this figure rose to 24 076 square metres. Smith clarified that the Graffiti Unit primarily targets City-owned structures, as per municipal regulations, which mandate that private property owners are responsible for removing graffiti from their premises. He explained, ‘The City takes proactive measures to eliminate graffiti daily on public property, including roads and...