Despair at illegal business activity

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Litter: Residents of Gallo Manor are having problems with illegal businesses being set up in the area.

THE Zandfontein Farm Homeowners’ Association, representing property owners and residents in the Gallo Manor area, is despairing at the number of illegal businesses popping up on pavements, especially in Kelvin Drive and Bowling Avenue.

These include a car repair business, barber shop, spaza shop and a taxi parking area.

This has resulted in an increase in littering and dumping of rubbish.

The association claims that the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) is doing nothing about the state of affairs.

Resident Michael Neu-Ner said residents had been complaining since August, but nothing had been done.

Other complaints are about the run-off area of water at Shabad Bridge, the resurfacing of Letaba Avenue and paving work along Bowling Avenue.

Eyesore: A car repair man is among those who have set up business in Gallo Manor. Residents have asked that bollards be placed along the pavements to prevent illegal trading.

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“Nothing has been done to stop taxis from parking on the pavements. We have not even had the courtesy of a reply from the JRA. The latest addition is a car repair man working on the pavement. There is hair all over from the barber,” he said.

Residents have asked that bollards be placed along the pavements to prevent the illegal trading.

JRA spokesman Thulani Makhubela said the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) visited the intersection and gave the barber notice and told him not come back again, as they did to the hawker selling fruits near the toilets.

“No car repair business was found at the scene, apparently because they had been tipped off,” he said.

The JMPD by-law enforcement section will be monitoring the area.

Letaba Road is being inspected, but it does not form part of the 10 priority streets and roads identified for the 2011/12 financial year.

The paving around the four traffic lights on the islands will be repaired this week, Makhubela said.

“As far as the zoning for taxis is concerned, the matter is being referred to traffic engineering.”

The Shabad Bridge is being investigated and feedback on action to be taken will be finalised this week.