ANNA COX
BY-LAW infringers in the City of Johannesburg will soon face the wrath of the law.
This is the promise of the council, which has said various city departments are now working together with the Joburg metro police department (JMPD) to focus on offenders who, in the past, have got off scot-free.
The council has already obtained several High Court orders to act against illegal outdoor advertising and illegal construction work.
These are being executed, and the first illegal billboard was removed and demolished on Friday near the Rivonia off-ramp on the N1. The sign was allegedly erected on council land without permission.
The council is targeting not only serial polluters and street-advertising hogs, but also other by-law offenders.
Superintendent Ignus Jona, of the JMPD by-law management unit, said the department was determined to stop by-law infringements, especially when people put “fly” posters or stickers and normal posters on council assets.
“People complain that we do nothing, but as fast as we remove them, they are being put up again. Much higher fines are needed to act as a deterrent.
“We don’t have the resources to remove big signs because we need scaffolding and expertise, and the sticker signs require chemicals to get them off,” he said.
In conjunction with other council departments, the metro police will also target hawking, urinating in the street, loitering, illegal connections, illegal businesses, street trading and illegal dumping.
Parks and cemeteries will be monitored by City Parks, and roads will be checked in terms of permission to dig and lay cables and reinstate pavements.
Another focus area will be the prevention of the erection of new shacks on private or council property.
Yesterday, Operation Letsema (let’s fix it) was launched in Region F, which encompasses the inner city.
The operation will focus on major service delivery and by-law enforcement, and tackle grime and crime in Yeoville, Cyrildene, Bellevue, Troyeville, Bez Valley and Malvern.
Shaun O’Shea, a spokesman for Region F, said Joburg mayor Parks Tau had committed all departments and municipal-owned entities such as Pikitup, City Power, Joburg Water and the Joburg Roads Agency to address service delivery breakdowns and general crime and grime throughout the city. They will also educate communities on city by-laws and encourage civic pride.