The owners of businesses on Meyer Street expressed dissatisfaction with the waste department and decried the criminal activity near their establishments.
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Illegal dumping and irregular waste pickups were among the complaints.
The implementation of the city’s by-laws was questioned because people were seen gambling (playing dice) in public and urinating against the walls of the Dumisani Masilela Theatre.
Drinking in public is encouraged because there is a liquor store near the theatre.
Previously, GCN reported that illegal gambling and rubbish removal in the Germiston CBD continued to trouble the businesses.
In response to the waste problem, the city said rubbish removal services get done according to the collection schedule on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
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“The challenge is that the occupiers of the hijacked building do not follow the collection schedule.
“They dispose of their domestic refuse at times not based on the schedule,” said CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.
“The CoE is looking to have additional resources through the CBD tender. However, the challenges of insufficient budget caused delays in the process.“The city deployed limited litter pickers from the Bedfordview and Germiston depot to render litter picking services.
“However, the number of employees deployed in the area is insufficient to provide an effective, efficient service delivery because they still need to provide services to their respective regions.
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“Another solution the city is looking at is to appoint service providers in the Germiston CBD,” said Dlamini.
EMPD spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa said the city would implement the by-laws to prevent illegal gambling and public drinking in the CBD, especially on Meyer Street.
“Illegal gambling is prohibited. To operate lawfully, one must obtain a license from the National Gambling Board of South Africa.
“Any individual caught illegally gambling will be arrested and prosecuted,” said Thepa.
As for the liquor outlet near the Dumisani Masilela Theatre, Thepa said it was investigated and found to be compliant.
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“However, the Germiston South Precinct did receive a complaint about the establishment. The EMPD and relevant stakeholders will conduct operations addressing the complaints about illegal gambling and drinking in public,” said Thepa.
“Because the establishment is adjacent to the Dumisani Masilela Theatre, a historical place, the EMPD will revisit and scrutinise their liquor license.
“The EMPD requested assistance from the Communications and Brand Management Department to place signs near the theatre indicating ‘No drinking in public’ and ‘No urinating on the walls’.
“After every operation is conducted, feedback will be forwarded to the relevant department,” said Thepa.
