Windscreen washers affect local businesses

Bruma businesses are feeling the pinch of the windscreen washers problem at the intersection of Albertina Sisulu and Alum Street.

Mr Andries van der Merwe is the co-owner of a company that rents out office space to businesses in the area.

He said in recent months, his business has lost tenants because they are complaining about the windscreen washers in the area.

“The increasing number of the aggressive windscreen washers in the area topped the list of reasons to leave,” he said.

Mr Van der Merwe said the presence of the windscreen washers is affecting the tenants’ business.

“Their clients, especially female clients, feel intimidated by these people. As a result, they ask my tenants to meet them away from the offices. That affects productivity. We get complaints all the time from a woman who has been harassed by a windscreen washer. Visitors that come through to see our tenants are also complaining. They do not want to come to Bruma anymore. Some tenants are threatening to cancel their leases because they are losing clients,” he said.

Mr Van der Merwe said his company will be affected if companies continue to leave. He said rigorous steps should be taken to address the situation.

He said business owners and residents should work together with the SAPS

Mr Van der Merwe called for tougher action to be taken against the windscreen washers.

“The SAPS arrests them. But they get released within a day because our law does not see them as criminals. They are seen as people standing there. That is until they commit a crime. So we need a bylaw which will see them being sentenced to at least four or more in prison. The law would allow police officers to arrest them and remove the windscreen washers,” said Mr Van der Merwe.

The Cleveland Community Police Forum (CCPF) Sector 1 chairperson, Mr Rob Crawford, urged the community to keep reporting the windscreen washers.

“They are harassing motorists, especially foreigners and single woman. Even men are intimidated. Recently, there were reports of a police officer who was assaulted by a windscreen washer as he was being arrested. They are aggressive. They should not be there. They are in contravention of the bylaws,” he said.

He asked the community to keep placing pressure on the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD).

“Only now, after probably six years, do we have the JMPD taking serious action. This has decreased their numbers, but lots are still there. I am happy about the recent arrest of seven windscreen washers. They were charged and detained,” said Mr Crawford.

The City of Johannesburg’s Public Safety Department spokesperson, Mr Thabo Rangwaga, said residents should expect many arrests at the intersection.

He said the intersection falls under Operation Kemolao.

“We received lots of complaints from residents in the city about windscreen washers at intersections. We have increased our monitoring,” he said.

He said the complaints from the motorists and the community included that the windscreen washers are aggressive towards motorists.

“There were also reports that some of the people at the intersections pose as windscreen washers or beggars, while in essence they are criminals waiting to strike,” said Mr Rangwaga.

He said the department is working closely with the police to make sure those who are arrested are dealt with accordingly.

He added that no activity is allowed at the intersections, except by police officers.

“I urge motorists to refrain from making the intersections lucrative to such people. Stop giving them money, but report them to our JMPD control room or the police,” he said.

On Wednesday last week, seven windscreen washers were arrested during a joint operation between the SAPS and the JMPD.

The Cleveland SAPS communications officer, Constable Mpho Mashakane, said the men appeared in the Jeppe Magistrate’s Court on charges of hindering and obstructing traffic.

“Some of them had pending warrants of arrest against them. Some of them were appearing for the second time. Those who were arrested for the second time were sentenced to three months in prison and those who were arrested for the first time were fined R150. They will not be released until the money is paid,” said Const Mashakane.

She said the operations will continue in the area until the windscreen washers are completely removed.