Communities unite in protest against ‘aggressive’ windscreen washers

"I appeal to motorists to stop donating to the windscreen washers and not succumb to intimidation."

Mr Andrew McDougal, Mr Leon de Bruin, Mr Ludwig Immelman, Clr Neuren Pietersen and Mr Emil Nikolov holding the poster highlighting concerns about windscreen washers.

Concerned community members from Bedfordview, Kensington, Edenvale and Morninghill held a demonstration to peacefully protest against the windscreen washers operating at the Bruma intersection.

The demonstration against the windscreen washers, who the demonstrators dubbed “aggressive”, was held on September 17. At the demonstration informative pamphlets were handed out to motorists, and demonstrators carried signs urging motorists not to support windscreen washers.

Mr Leon de Bruin, a concerned resident from the area and one of the organisers of the event, said it was a peaceful demonstration to stop the “aggressive behaviour” of the windscreen washers. Mr de Bruin said he was worried a community member might get hurt by a windscreen washer.

Residents take on Bruma window washers: Bedfordview, Kensington and Edenvale residents are fed-up with window… https://t.co/Cz3XSP9SI7

— Johannesburg Journal (@joburgjournal) September 19, 2016

Councillor Neuren Pietersen of ward 118 said he supported the demonstration which was aimed at stopping the aggressive and intimidating behaviour of the windscreen washers.

“I appeal to motorists to stop donating to the windscreen washers and not succumb to intimidation of the windscreen washers,” said Clr Pietersen.

Clr Pietersen said he has spoken to the Johannesburg MMC of Safety and Security and requested that more patrols be carried out by the JMPD.

Mr Muzi Mazibuko, a member from one of the local Community Police Forums and one of the demonstrators, said some of the window washers are not what they seem.”They pretend to want to wash your window but when you open your window they grab what they can and run,” said Mr Mazibuko.

Mr Mazibuko said some window washers go as far as pulling people out of cars and driving off in the car.

“I have seen it happen,” said Mr Mazibuko.

Mr Andrew McDougal, a demonstrator, said the protest was not about the window washers being unemployed but wanted to focus and try reduce the aggression of the window washers.