Open land – a concerning challenge
STRUBEN’S VALLEY – According to the sector chairperson, residents need to acknowledge that their precinct was a fast growing place.
Unoccupied open land remains a critical concern in Honeydew Sector 3 Community Policing Forum (CPF) precinct.
Apparently the open land provided an opportunity for vagrants who are loitering within the suburbs.
The concerning trend was discussed during the CPF meeting held at Struben’s Valley on 9 September.
Sector 3 chairperson Reg Mazibuko appealed to residents to report activities on open land in the area.
He told residents to refrain from spreading pictures of crime scenes on social networks as it was discussed at the Honeydew CPF meeting.
“People send wrong information that eventually goes viral. We were told to refrain from that,” he said.
Warrant Officer Martin Kruger warned residents to watch out for criminal activities as the times when the incidents were committed, had shifted.
“Crimes have moved to day time now – especially, when people are not at home,” he said.
Many residents also complained that illegal taxi ranks were escalating within the sector.
Mazibuko emphasised that residents should acknowledge that their precinct was growing swiftly within the City of Joburg.
“We need to start engaging taxi associations. Whether we like it or not, the fact that we have domestic and construction workers attracts more taxis,” explained Mazibuko.
He further said that authorities were failing to enforce bylaws and residents should also take it up with the Ward councillor and register all their complaints at the meetings.
Ward 97 councillor Jaco Engelbrecht said the problem of illegal taxis was also influenced by the City of Joburg – especially, the Department of Planning and Development, for failing to plan properly.
“Obviously when you are planning and developing new suburbs and townships you also need to make a space for proper taxi ranks that will contribute economically but that was not done,” said Engelbrecht.
He further advised residents to continue communicating through their Whats App groups.
“Promote it. The more people communicate, the more they escalate information. We need to form street committees,” he said.
Details: Honeydew Sector 3 CPF 082 415 8282.
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