WATCH: Owners of the Booysens Reserve take back streets

United business owners of the Booysens Reserve area want to see their area restored to its former glory, therefore, to be safe, clean and operational.

This was revealed in a meeting held on May 31 among the business owners. It was attended by Ward 54 Clr Stuart Marais (082 775 1332), Steve Dwarika from Guardian Angels Security and Booysens SAPS communication officer Captain Lorraine van Emmerik.

Issues raised included potholes, power outages, overgrown sidewalks/pavements, water leaks, large holes (open for years), streetlights out of order, traffic violations, street robberies, business break-ins, bylaws infringements (including dumping) and compliance at second-hand dealers and liquor outlets.

“My father brought his machines here in 1981 and we’ve been here since. Everything was in order, however, we can’t say the same anymore,” noted one of the business owners.

Others mentioned that they have been here since 1988 and others since the late ’90s, and all they want is the enforcement of the law and better service delivery.

Marais thanked each and every one of the business owners who took part in the meeting.

“Our multi-party government has successfully passed its R77b 2022/23 budget with the bulk of it going to electricity, but there’s a lot going everywhere else.

“Although we spent money on the impoverished, we will also have to look at the ratepayers and their needs.

“I’m availing myself and all the complaints must be sent to me. We care for our people. When you see a water leak, contact me, I will personally lodge a complaint with Joburg Water, similarly with City Power when there are outages.

“I’m glad the business owners took the initiative to cut the grass as the city will sometimes prioritise other things other than overgrown sidewalks.

“Police and security companies need to work together, we need more visibility and we will try to get officers to enforce bylaws, especially on those one-way streets,” explained Marais.

Van Emmerik said they have a new essential infrastructure unit that deals with the tampering of the infrastructure, and it is led by Captain Reginald Zulu (079 899 4119).

“If you witness anything pertaining to infrastructure damage call or text him. He has a team available and they will attend to the problem.

“We need to continue engaging our community through education because for some people dumping is a norm.

“Also we need to report any crime to the police station as this helps with the investigation. If we don’t know about it we cannot investigate.

“From January to date in this area we have had reports of 10 cases of business break-ins (most happened in December holidays), six cases of general theft, three cases of common assault, one case of business robbery and one for culpable homicide.

“So it boils down to the fact that we need you to report the cases to the station. You can’t just report and go.

“We need chain statements for successful convictions. As police we arrest and provide necessary information to the courts and they will do the rest,” she said.

One of the business owners, Jay de Jongh, thanked everyone who always contributed whenever there is a need.

He also urged everyone to continue to make sure Booysens Reserve is a prosperous economic hub.

To report a crime at Booysens SAPS, call 011 433 5224/3 or contact the commander at the charge office on 082 772 6625.