Booms, security gates and other safety mechanisms form an essential part of most residents’ lives.
However, the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) arrived at Hurlingham Manor, Sandton, armed with equipment on 8 December to remove security gates and other features that, according to the agency, unlawfully restrict access to the general public.
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The agency’s spokesperson, Bertha Peter-Scheepers, explained that these structures did not adhere to the rules and regulations set out by the City of Johannesburg. The agency and Metro, therefore, had no choice but to take the matter into their own hands and all of the structures that were removed, such as gates, were confiscated by Metro and the roads agency.
Upon arrival in the suburb, the team quickly removed a pedestrian gate that had been sealed with cable ties. She explained that this sort of limited access to the public is not permitted.
Peter-Scheepers made a letter available to the Sandton Chronicle. This letter was addressed the Hurlingham Manor North Extension 5 Residents Association by the agency. The letter explained, “It has come to the attention of this Agency and subsequently confirmed by same, that Hurlingham… has for a lengthy period of time, been operating a security access restriction facility at Woodlands Avenue and surrounding roadways…”
The letter went on to explain that these security measures are a contravention of the Security Access Restriction Policy of 2014. Peter-Scheepers explained that a meeting was held in the area on 11 October between various residents and officials. The residents’ association was given 30 days, which expired at the close of business on 11 November, to rectify all anomalies and contraventions noted.
Based on the actions that the agency and Metro took on 8 December, the contraventions were not amended by the aforementioned date.
The letter also referenced a previous letter from February last year, which stressed that the association should ‘ensure compliance with the security access control policy’. This matter has, therefore, been ongoing for more than a year.
Community members have taken to the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page to express their opinions and many stressed that these security features were needed in the suburb to combat crime. One of the comments said, “It [the gates] keep the residents safe!” Another resident had the same frustrations and wrote, “Sure, let the criminals have unlimited access.”
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