Buya Mthetho operations brought JMPD to Region E on June 28, aimed at relocating mothers and children loitering at traffic lights in the area.
Joined by officials from the City of Joburg’s Social Development Department, officers instructed individuals at the intersections of Glenhove Road and the M1 North, Athol Oaklands Road and Scott Street, Kelvin Drive and Rivonia Road, and School and Rivonia roads.
The intersection of Outspan and Rivonia Roads and Corlett Drive were also inspected after being identified as hotspots.
According to metro police spokesperson Xolani Fihla, the operation was carried out, out of concern for the safety of the individuals sitting at these intersections.
“The main concern is that should there be an accident while they are sitting at these intersections, no one will be held accountable. This endangers their lives as they may be run over by vehicles, and it’s not allowed.”
Social Development Department officials took note of the various challenges and concerns facing these individuals, this included a lack of food and unemployment.
Fihla reminded community members that under the City of Johannesburg’s Public Road and Miscellaneous By-Laws, no person may lie, sit, stand, congregate, loiter or walk, or otherwise act, on any public road in a manner that may obstruct traffic. “Any person contravening this must, upon instruction by an authorised official, discontinue doing so.”
Under the National Road Traffic Act, pedestrians may only cross a public road if it is free from oncoming traffic. When walking across a pedestrian crossing, a pedestrian may not linger, but proceed.
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