Residents worry about Bordeaux land
BORDEAUX – Residents have grown concerned about the state of unoccupied land on Selkirk Avenue near the Randburg Licensing Department.
Residents have grown concerned about the state of unoccupied land on Selkirk Avenue near the Randburg Licencing Department.
One of many concerned residents Ronald Chetty said, “I have lived opposite the land for quite some time now, and I have yet to see anything done with it. As the land has been left open, it has been taken over by various people including [displaced persons] and people that repair taxis.
“As we know that it is fenced off private land, we have contacted the police on numerous occasions. They respond and move people off the land, but the problem arises only a few days later. We hope that either this area is developed or at least secured properly soon.”
Ward 102 councillor David Potter said that the area in question has been earmarked for social housing development.
The property will be separated into 17 different sections and there are various City departments involved in the overall Randburg Civic Triangle and the open land.
These departments include the Joburg Property Company, the City of Johannesburg Transportation Department, and the Johannesburg Social Housing Company (Joshco).
Potter spoke about some of the possible reasons for the delay in development saying, “It is believed that a land swap between JPC, Joshco and Transport is needed, as Joshco needs a section of the strip of JPC land, but included in this strip will be the encroachment of the formal Randburg Taxi Rank workshop that would then need to be moved. Without a formal transfer to the Transport Department, the Transport Department cannot execute its service delivery mandate.”
The Joshco property is where the construction of a social housing project will take place. It is believed that around 150 units of a total of around 600 will be developed in phase one of the project.
Potter continued, “In an update provided to my office by Joshco on 13 September, there seem to be internal City issues between JPC and Joshco related to the transfer of the land from JPC to Joshco for the Joshco development to start to take place.
“The Joshco property has been fenced off and high mast lights installed and the site also has full-time security guards.”
Potter noted that community members have raised the issue numerous times. “The concerns of the community are very valid. It is to be noted that as a councillor, I may not instruct any City official but merely represent issues raised to the City in various platforms and channels.
“My office has continually monitored, requested updates and escalated various issues affecting the Randburg Civic Centre triangle, which include the JPC vacant property, the Joshco development, the collapsing entrance of the JMPD driver’s licensing centre, the ongoing basic service delivery issues at the Civic and related user departments, the general upkeep of the Randburg Civic Centre and other matters in the triangle.”
Potter stated that he very recently contacted the City executive for a high level of intervention with regards to the issue, and he looks forward to this taking place.
The Randburg Sun has contacted both the Johannesburg Property Company and the Johannesburg Social Housing Company for their comment but has yet to receive a response.
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