Things will improve in our ward

When I was elected as the councillor of this diverse ward, I knew that a big challenge lay ahead and after almost six months in office I now realise that it is a mammoth task that lies ahead!

ProtestsIt has been an interesting month where we have seen two protests take place in Rosettenville, which was almost like our own Arab Spring. While I can never condone any form of violence, I also realised that residents are frustrated as the area has been degenerating for many years. While the protests were taking place, I contacted Mayor Herman Mashaba and he came through to inspect the area together with MMC for Safety Michael Sun and the MMC for Region F, Funzi Ngobeni, and myself, as the ward councillor.

The tour of the area made the mayor realise that this community needs to have specific intervention. This resulted in a raid which he personally attended, together with the MMCs and myself, and a public meeting was held at Rosettenville Primary School. This also resulted in more police being deployed to the area and a multi-party committee being formed to map the way forward in the ward. The establishment of a by-law court should also assist us in combating prostitution, as it will enable us to get the ladies off the streets on the basis of loitering. The first of these meetings took place recently and we have committed to having these meetings twice a month. The protests also resulted in the Gauteng MEC for Safety, Sizakele Nkosi- Malabane, and the Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba, hold meetings at La Rochelle Primary School.

READ: https://comarochronicle.co.za/127210/raid-curbs-crime/

Health

In terms of health care, the Rosettenville Clinic became a competent site in December which enabled them to screen more people for HIV, including MSM patients. One of the biggest challenges our clinic faces is the fact that they have lost a number of staff members recently, and they always have a high volume of patients. I have a meeting with the clinic committee once a month. With regards to the South Rand Hospital, it is a provincial hospital, but I am going to be visiting it on Monday, together with Manny de Freitas and the shadow MEC for health, Jack Bloom.

READ: https://comarochronicle.co.za/130069/rosettenville-clinic-broadens-its-services/

Clubs

Taverns and clubs have been very problematic in the ward, especially in terms of noise pollution, and the state they leave the surrounding areas in. To combat this, we have been working with environmental health to measure the decibels of the noise. I have also organised a number of raids on these clubs with different stakeholders, such as JMPD, SAPS, some CPF patrollers, the department of environmental health, and the EMS. The purpose of these raids are, firstly, to see if there are drugs on the premises, to check whether their liquor and entertainment licences are valid, to make sure they comply with the city’s health and safety regulations and to see if any by-laws are being contravened. One of the most controversial clubs in the ward, Temptations, has had its consent use taken away and the city has applied to the high court to have it shut down permanently.

Illegal structures

Another contentious issue is illegal structures being built in properties. I have been working very closely with building control on these issues and the mayor has committed to the city to employ more building inspectors. MMC Funzi Ngobeni is also taking this issue very seriously. This also indirectly becomes a SARS issue, as the property owners often charge rent for these back rooms but do not declare it as income tax. Therefore, SARS needs to do an investigation of their own into these properties.

READ: https://comarochronicle.co.za/131008/illegal-ads-on-the-increase/

Council properties

We have also identified that the city-owned halls and recreation centres need to be put to better use in our ward. I know that JPC wants to put most of the leases out to tender, but we really need to make sure that they are utilised for the community’s benefit and are not used for taverns or clubs, as we can be seen at the former Townsview Bowling Club. When I came into office, the main swimming pool at Southern Suburbs had not been open for two years and the entire facility required a lot of work for it to be opened for the summer months. I am pleased to say that we managed to get the pool opened and all the facilities are now operational!

READ: https://comarochronicle.co.za/130064/rec-centre-pool-re-opens-after-two-years/

Grass

I know that one of the most contentious issues is the cutting of grass in the parks and on the sidewalks. I realise that long grass is not only an eyesore, but is also a huge security risk, as muggers and hijackers are able to hide in the grass and stolen goods are also hidden in the grass. I also realise that it forces pedestrians to walk in the roads and prevents people from seeing open manholes. The reason why we have been battling to get the grass cut is due to current budget constraints. The grass cutting also currently falls under three different departments which sometimes results in buck passing. That is why this function has now been consolidated under one department, namely city parks. Recently, we also approved a budget which, once it comes into effect, will enable grass to be cut regularly and potholes should be able to be filled within 24 hours.

There are many other issues that are affecting the ward, and I can promise you that we are working on all of them.

WARD 56 councillor Michael Crichton (083 383 6366).

READ: https://comarochronicle.co.za/133307/long-standing-stalwart-acknowledged/

For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.

Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za

Add us on WhatsApp today! Comaro Chronicle: 079 427 8074 and Southern Courier: 079 404 5789.