ANDRES Chababa (41) has been running a shoe repair business under a tree at Swinburne Street for three years but he was recently removed by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD).
This comes after Swinburne Old Age Home residents complained to Ward 57 Clr Faeeza Chame about the loud noise Chababa and his clients make every day. Residents say Chababa’s friends spend the whole day drinking and swearing at pedestrians. When residents tried to reprimand Chababa, he told them that he is pleasing his clients.
When Chame heard about the old age home residents’ grievances, she called JMPD to remove Chababa with immediate effect.
“Old people can’t be treated the way they have been treated. It’s unacceptable to make noise in front of residents’ houses. “What irritates me is that he has been cautioned before to stop repairing shoes under a tree which is right in front of the elderly people’s home. But he didn’t listen, that’s why I called JMPD to have him removed,” said Chame.
JMPD spokesperson Wayne Minnaar confirmed to COURIER that they did receive a complaint that Chababa was making a lot of noise and was obstructing the pavement.
Chababa told COURIER it’s not him that bothers elderly people with a loud noise but his clients. If his clients come with drinks while waiting for their shoes, he can’t prevent them from drinking.
“The councillor wants me gone. It’s fine. Let it be so,” said Chababa.
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