Lockdown update: Greenstone and Modderfontein residents better prepared for level 4
Lockdown was a first for all, including residents of Greenstone and Modderfontein.Clr Bongani Nkomo told the NEWS on May 4 that compared to the start of lockdown, residents are now more aware of regulations.?There were some challenges during lockdown and most of these were due to misinformation on social media. ?There were also challenges when City Of Johannesburg indicated that it will issue small businesses with permits. ?This was then retracted, but not adequately communicated,? said Nkomo.?We also experienced problems when the Department of Social Development would be providing food assistance to foreigners.?Council had its own challenges regarding routine service delivery, such as refuse collection, by-law enforcement and the resolution of billing issues,? Nkomo said. ?Employees who were identified as high risk for Covid-19 were not allowed to work. Service delivery turnaround times and efficiency have affected severely.?He raised his concern about the increase in the number of street beggars in the area.?Women with children on Hereford Road were still begging during lockdown. People are not able to earn an income and out of desperation they resort to begging on street corners and at intersections.?We need to respond to the immediate issue, which is hunger. These individuals have been assisted through our ward 32 Covid-19 food programme,? he said. He said homeless people were allocated to social workers for assistance in finding shelter or a temporary housing facility.Sebenza SAPS spokesperson Sgt Sharon Tsotsotso previously issued a request to residents to report beggars.Nkomo further reported that ward 32 did experience a few cases of social gatherings and locals selling illegal cigarettes. ?These were resolved swiftly.?Some transgressions have been due to poor or false information.?Nkomo was encouraged to see shopping centres provide sanitising facilities for shoppers on arrival and refusing entry to those without the necessary safety gear.?I would also like to encourage estate managers to continue to enforce the regulations within the boundaries of their estates and report any transgressors to SAPS and JMPD.?He urged residents to comply with level 4 lockdown regulations.
Spotted: A beggar on Hereford Road in Greenstone during the lockdown.
Lockdown was a first for all, including residents of Greenstone and Modderfontein.
Clr Bongani Nkomo told the NEWS on May 4 that compared to the start of lockdown, residents are now more aware of regulations.
“There were some challenges during lockdown and most of these were due to misinformation on social media. There were also challenges when City Of Johannesburg indicated that it will issue small businesses with permits. This was then retracted, but not adequately communicated,” said Nkomo.
“We also experienced problems when the Department of Social Development would be providing food assistance to foreigners. Council had its own challenges regarding routine service delivery, such as refuse collection, by-law enforcement and the resolution of billing issues,” Nkomo said.
Ward 32 Clr Bongani Nkomo.
“Employees who were identified as high risk for Covid-19 were not allowed to work. Service delivery turnaround times and efficiency have affected severely.”
He raised his concern about the increase in the number of street beggars in the area.
“Women with children on Hereford Road were still begging during lockdown. People are not able to earn an income and out of desperation they resort to begging on street corners and at intersections.
“We need to respond to the immediate issue, which is hunger. These individuals have been assisted through our ward 32 Covid-19 food programme,” he said.
He said homeless people were allocated to social workers for assistance in finding shelter or a temporary housing facility.
Sebenza SAPS spokesperson Sgt Sharon Tsotsotso previously issued a request to residents to report beggars.
Nkomo further reported that ward 32 did experience a few cases of social gatherings and locals selling illegal cigarettes.
“These were resolved swiftly.”
Some transgressions have been due to poor or false information.
Nkomo was encouraged to see shopping centres provide sanitising facilities for shoppers on arrival and refusing entry to those without the necessary safety gear.
“I would also like to encourage estate managers to continue to enforce the regulations within the boundaries of their estates and report any transgressors to SAPS and JMPD.”
He urged residents to comply with level 4 lockdown regulations.
