Small Actions, Big Change: Philippi’s 2025 PMU & PEP Results

Throughout 2025, the Philippi Precinct Management Unit (PMU) and the Presidential Employment Programme (PEP) continued to play a critical role in improving cleanliness, safety, and service coordination across Philippi. Working in close partnership with the City of Cape Town, these programmes focused on everyday actions that directly affect how residents experience their streets, public spaces, and local economy.

Highlights of the attached report:

Over the year, 4,503 City C3 service requests were logged by the PEP Survey Team, helping to surface ward-level service delivery needs and channel them into formal municipal systems. Most requests related to waste, stormwater, and road infrastructure, highlighting the ongoing importance of basic services in maintaining safe and functional neighbourhoods.

Cleaning operations remained a cornerstone of the work. The PMU Waste Ambassadors collected 12,682 bags of waste in Philippi East Industria, while the expanded PEP Cleaning Teamscollected 149,466 bags across five wards. Although most waste went to landfill, recycling efforts continued steadily, contributing to cleaner public spaces and improved environmental conditions. Waste collection increased notably in the second half of the year following the expansion of the PEP team.

Safety interventions combined visible presence with practical support for service delivery. The PMU Safety Team conducted 1,288 foot patrols along the main roads, reinforcing safety in high-traffic areas. In parallel, PEP Safety Teams carried out 615 safety escort deployments, enabling City staff and contractors—especially in water, sanitation, and parks services—to work safely in higher-risk areas.

Crime monitoring remained an essential function. PMU and PEP Safety Teams recorded 1,505 crime incidents through daily engagement with residents and businesses. Most of these crimes were not reported to SAPS. While crime levels fluctuated during the year, the data provides a consistent evidence base to guide targeted safety responses and coordination with enforcement agencies.

Alongside operational work, investment in people continued through the Job Journey and SkillWise training programmes, which equipped 402 participants with work-readiness and digital skills. With 276 graduates, the programmes strengthened employability pathways for PEP participants and local residents alike.

Finally, community safety perception surveys—based on 3,162 responses—showed that residents’ sense of safety improved mid-year as cleaning, patrols, and service responsiveness intensified. However, these gains were not sustained into year-end, underscoring a key lesson of 2025: lasting improvements in safety and public space require consistent, everyday action, not short-term interventions.

Together, the 2025 results demonstrate how coordinated cleaning, safety presence, service reporting, and skills development contribute to a cleaner, safer, and more resilient Philippi—while also highlighting the need for sustained effort to lock in long-term change.

View and download:

PMU-PEP Results 2025.pdf

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