Following the article, Window washers have become a nightmare, some motorists have voiced their opinions about comments attributed to Metro police spokesperson Edna Mamonyane and Andre Snyman of Eblockwatch.
Solly Gross was astounded by Mamonyane’s comment.
“How can she say that we should ignore them [window washers] and they will not return to the intersection? asked Gross. “They have been there for years. The Metro department needs to follow the bylaws and then they may go away. Their actions are, with respect, not a serious crime but a nuisance and a contravention of the bylaws.”
The bylaws state that no person may lie, sit, stand, congregate, loiter or walk, or otherwise act, on any public road in any manner that may obstruct traffic.
Singh Yasheen said the advice that Snyman offered that motorists should stop 10m away from the window washers and then inch forward as they approach did not work, especially in peak hour traffic.
“What the Metro police fail to see is that standing in the middle of the road is illegal and that should not be allowed,” said Yasheen. “They should be removed every time they return to the intersection. Ignoring the problem will not make it go away.”
Yasheen recounts how he and his wife were almost robbed in peak hour traffic by a so-called window washer. “One washer showed me a butt of a firearm sticking out the front of his pants, he said. “He demanded I give him everything and because he had no access to the car the second man hit my window hard with an object. I could not tell whether it was a stone or a spark plug but fortunately the glass did not break.
“I really wish they would remove people standing at the intersections to make Johannesburg safe again.”
According to Captain Kim Cloete of the Sandton Police Station, they have been made aware of the problem area.
“We conduct focused operations and check for criminal activities such as possession of drugs and implements used to break into cars,” said Cloete.
If there is any suspicious or aggressive behaviour from window washers, the police urge the public to inform their respective Community Police Forum’s.
Details: www.sandtoncpf.co.za or 011 722 4317
