Greenside raids ‘bad for business’

Over the last few months, the Parkview police and the Johannesburg Metro police have conducted a number of raids in Greenside, often with the support of other city departments like environmental health, fire and safety, and urban planning.

Greenside has an active night life, with restaurants, pubs and clubs.

“Many complaints have come from the public in this regard and this informed the decision to have operations there,” said Parkview police spokesperson, Sergeant Lloyd Ramovha.

Mark Goldberg, owner of Topo Gigio, a restaurant on Gleneagles Road, said he had no problem with the police addressing issues of non-compliance but is against the manner in which it is done.

“During these raids, Metro police will literally throw the patrons’ food on the floor and confiscate the tables. The worst part is that they always have to do these raids month-end, when the restaurant is filled with customers,” he explained.

Goldberg acknowledged there were “legitimate problems” that needed to be addressed, including that of car guards who harass patrons who parked on the street, and perhaps underage drinking at a few other establishments on the strip.

He said he was a little disappointed that the strip received absolutely no support from the residents.

“Yes, there may be some bad apples but generally speaking most of the businesses are above-board,” he said.

“There seems to be this perception that if we close down then all will be well, but I don’t think the residents have actually considered the consequences of chasing reputable businesses out of the strip.”

Goldberg said if the restaurants were to close down, there was a possibility that they could be left empty for a long while and consequently, vagrants would move in.

“Or we move out and then we’re replaced by another bar that will be open on the strip, until they close them down as well,” he said.

Ward 87 councillor, Amanda Forsythe said she was not a fan of raids but felt that in the absence of normal, regular law enforcement by the departments, raids had often been the only option, as, according to her, some businesses regularly “flout the law”.

“The main reason I don’t like raids is because of their detrimental impact on all businesses in the affected area, including the good ones, as well as on the reputation of the suburb at large,” said Forsythe.

“Instead of identifying and targeting the guilty parties, they’re a bit like using napalm on an area, leaving everyone burned.”

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