Kew Action Group curb property invasions in their area
KEW – Without the support of the residents and business Kew would become a slum in the near future.
With an influx of people migrating to Gauteng and the country searching for work, many parts of the City of Johannesburg are experiencing huge challenges – and Kew is no exception.
This according to Ruggero Grech-Cumbo of the Kew Action Group citing crime, encroachment, dilapidation and general decay in Kew.
Grech-Cumbo said the principal challenge the area faces are poor security and illegal occupation of buildings, lack of coordination between enforcement entities to prevent the degradation leading to a generally poor public and working environment.
It is therefore essential that KAG coordinates the efforts of agencies of government and of all owners as individual owners cannot do this on their own, he said.
Kew is ideally located, linking with the world-class residential, conference and retail area of Sandton, the industrial hub of Wynberg and easy access to the M1 and N3 motorways.
The proximity to Alexandra ensures a pool of available labour and in most instances, workers do not need to waste time and money on travelling long distances.
“Also there is no shortage of power in Kew so the area has huge potential for growth as a unique business district,” said Grech-Cumbo.
“Taking into consideration the market demands and the shrinking availability of developed industrial and commercial space throughout Johannesburg, land within the Kew study area is becoming more and more valuable. The danger for this area is the spread of urban decay and impending invasion from surrounding areas.”
It is important that residents and businesses in Kew support the group and its initiations to enable all people to live in harmony, he added.
Without the support of the residents and business, Grech-Cumbo said Kew would become a slum as the invasions of properties would be unstoppable and informal mechanics and informal traders would totally disregard the by-laws.
“Chaos would prevail and worst of all, companies would move out of the area or close down and many people would lose their jobs.
“Collectively and collaboratively we can achieve what the municipality or single individuals cannot, as the past has clearly shown us.”
KAG urges all members of this community to support this endeavour for the sake of each and every stakeholder.
Details: Ruggero Grech-Cumbo Ruggero.GC@Tiscali.co.za
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