The proposed plan to establish a City Improvement District (CID) in Edgemead has been met with some criticism.
Last week a group called Stop Edgemead CID, who represents residents opposed to the proposal of a CID, expressed their concerns, claiming that crime in the area had been on a decline, that the area is thriving and that the plan will force households to pay millions for what they label as a “flawed and unnecessary scheme”.
Kirsten Fernandes, spokesperson for the group, reached out to TygerBurger last week following a newspaper article about the plans to establish a CID in the area (“CID proposed for Edgemead”, 1/10).
In a statement issued by the group, Fernandes said they dispute the crime statistics shared by the Edgemead CID steering committee.
Stats
Verified police comparative statistics for the area between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024, compared with 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, show crime has dropped steeply, not risen, the statement reads.
Furthermore, they claim that the CID will cost households an additional R200 to R500, plus value added tax (VAT) each month in a year, escalating annually thereafter. Fernandes said over 700 residents attended a meeting in August to make their opposition for the CID known. “The Stop Edgemead CID Facebook group, which was formed on 19 August this year, now has over 800 members and continues to grow daily,” she said.
Fernandes said the group’s opposition is centred on three main issues – “financial burden; procedural flows; and services that already exist”.
According to her, the public participation which concluded on 29 September was marked by “poor communication, bias and procedural irregularities.” In conclusion, they said that Edgemead does not want or need a CID. “We are already a safe and well-maintained community, thanks to the police, metro police, the neighbourhood watch and the Edgemead Residents’ Association,” Fernandes said.
“We urge property owners to make sure they understand the facts, before signing a CID consent form,” said Fernandes.
Dion Williams, steering committee member, told the newspaper last week that they are aware of the opposition from some residents. He said that the application process for a CID will continue and that residents have a “democratic right” to vote for, or against the proposal for a CID.
