Several bylaw contraventions were addressed by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) in wards 66 and 118 recently.
Clr Carlos da Rocha, of ward 66, said following a meeting he attended with a JMPD regional commander, a joint walkabout was held in both wards on July 29.
Clr Mike Spadino, of ward 118, attended the walkabout.
“The aim of the walkabout was to highlight to the JMPD repeat offences in these wards. Some of the complaints were trucks that were illegally parked, building rubble on the pavements without hauling permits, illegal workshops, taxis parked illegally and people working on vehicles on the streets,” said Clr Da Rocha.
Another walkabout was held on July 31.
Problems found and attended to included people trading illegally on the pavements, illegal structures, windscreen washers, people loitering at intersections and illegal signage.
Clr Da Rocha said a man was also charged for damaging council property.
“A truck was parked illegally on a pavement. The driver of the truck damaged the pavement and a light pole. I believe he was charged with damage to council property and he now has to pay for repairing the pavement and replacing the damaged light pole,” said Clr Da Rocha.
At last week’s Cleveland Community Police Forum (CCPF) meeting, Sergeant Marius Boolsen from the JMPD, said action was also taken against shop owners in Derrick Avenue in Cyrildene. They were also trading illegally on pavements.
In addition, a business owner was ordered to clean up dumping outside his premises in Langermann Drive in Kensington.
“We also went to Jules Street where we took action against people operating businesses on pavements. We found people selling televisions and also operating a butchery,” he said.
Clr Da Rocha said the aim of the meeting with the regional manager was to develop a working relationship between him, officials and Clr Spadino.
“Should this system work with co-operation between myself and Clr Spadino, people who who are flouting the bylaws are in for a difficult time.
“Our aim is to crack the whip on people who contravene the bylaws. The same type of action will take place on unspecified nights to deal with noise. This includes action at pubs, clubs and shebeens that are not sound proof,” said Clr Da Rocha.
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