Scrap business operates in a residential area
WESTDENE – Residents try to reclaim their street from illegal scrap and refurbishing business.
Residents oppose an illegal scrap and refurbishing business operating on Thornton Road between 3rd and 4th avenues in Westdene because it allegedly invites vagrants and criminals closer to their homes.
They said the big steel bin by the road makes their neighbourhood look like a dumping area because most of the people who visit the business to sell scrap are vagrants.
“Now we have a scrap storage on our street, this is also inviting criminals closer to our houses. Some send their old fridges and other appliances but this is not the right place to do that,” said a concerned resident.
Ward 69 Councilor Katja Naumann said residents are not allowed to start their small businesses on the pavements of their neighbourhoods.
She said, “This is against the bylaws of the City of Joburg – it is not permitted in the residential areas and the officials, including JMPD, will continue to follow due process in ensuring that offenders get prosecuted.”
Her response came after Westdene residents complained about a resident who uses a local pavement and street to store scrap.
Councillor Naumann said, “This was reported many times. The JMPD have intervened and the owner has been fined and warned repeatedly.”
“However, we all know that there are those that take little notice of fines, believe they are above the law and he clearly is one of them,” she said.
Councillor Naumann said the City has proclaimed certain areas are trading areas but traders still need to obtain permits.
“You are officially only allowed to run a business or trade from premises zoned for business rights. However, some residents run small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMME) such as coaching or consulting businesses from their home base,” she said.
An attempt to get comment from the business authorities yielded nothing as a journalist was told by a man near the jumbo scrap bin that the owner was not available.
When one phones the number printed on the bin, the line simply goes dead.
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