Weak by-law enforcement affects Alex’s development
ALEXANDRA - A councillor has attributed the failure in by law enforcement for many of the woes faced by Alex residents.
According to councillor Monde Mbingeleli, the failure in bylaw enforcement has contributed to the many woes faced by Alexandra residents.
Mbingeleli said this recently when outlining planned development projects and challenges impeding social and economic development in the area. He said failure to enforce bylaws made both residents and criminally-minded individuals feel at liberty to do as they please, from constructing illegal structures anywhere to drug dealers and unregistered vendors selling anything anywhere without fear. “Some residents do this from ignorance because of lack of education awareness on laws governing small business operations and housing development. Other people are building on land they have claimed, unaware they are compounding problems as they spend money on illegal structures which may not be connected to municipal services like electricity.”
He said in Sestwetla informal settlement a truce against illegal structures is being violated with new structures mushrooming and making it difficult for controlled developments to take place and health and hygiene to be improved. “This is because law enforcement hesitates to take steps in the interest of the safety, health and hygiene of the residents. Also, plans for contracting a company to demolish illegal structures appear to be at a stand still.”
Mbingeleli hopes the claimants’ interdict against government and the city developing on claimed land and properties would be resolved by mid year to enable housing developments earmarked for Alex to commence. “Ward-based organisations are discussing possible housing scenarios including high rise options. We hope the stakeholders in this housing saga will reach consensus quickly to alleviate the suffering of those who have been on the waiting list for too long.”
He said drug addiction was another challenge affecting many youths. “Most drug dens, pushers and drug addicts are known but there is no significant crackdown on something so illegal and destructive of our youths like nyaope. The drug has now been criminalised and law enforcement agencies should take major steps to protect our children, many of whom are dropping out of school or forced to steal and do other crimes to sustain their drug habit.” he concluded
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