City Power called on to take responsibility
It is claimed that the vagrants and informal traders often makes fires, which poses a major risk to the surrounding community should these burn out of control.
The DA has called for Joburg City Power to take responsibility for the servitude area between Edenvale (Aitken Road) and Greenstone.
The DA said the land has become a popular dumping site, with vagrants and informal traders having settled on the land illegally.
It is claimed that the vagrants and informal traders often makes fires, which poses a major risk to the surrounding community should these burn out of control.
“While the DA managed to get the Ekurhuleni Metro Municipality (EMM) to clean-up the area and the EMPD and SAPS to remove the illegal squatters from time to time, this is clearly not a permanent solution.
“Because many of the bollards originally installed by City Power have been damaged and or removed, bakkies and trucks can easily gain access to this illegal dumping site. Vagrants and informal traders illegally squatting on the land are also not easily visible because of the large piles of rubbish caused by dumping,” said Edenvale ward councillor, Clr Heather Hart.
Clr Hart, of ward 18, said despite reporting the matter, no action has been taken by City Power to maintain and secure the area, despite the power lines that are present on the site.
The party requested City Power to immediately remove all the rubbish that has been dumped and then to level and beautify the land.
“City Power also needs to replace all the broken bollards and provide fencing on the Van Riebeeck Avenue side, from the Greenstone Shopping Centre to the Eastleigh Ridge closure fence. They need to provide some security lighting on this land, particularly the spots adjacent to the residential areas,” said Clr Hart.
“I am happy to meet with the City Power employees who have been delegated to carry out these tasks and also to arrange a community meeting with residents from the adjacent Greenstone businesses and complexes, as well as from the Ekurhuleni suburbs and industrial areas who have been affected by this problem area,” said Clr Hart.
Spokesperson for City Power, Ms Yumna Sheik, said City Power will attend to the removal of rubble at this servitude area.
She urged community members to report illegal dumping happening in their area.
“We urge community members to report it at the City of Johannesburg Call Centre by calling 0860 562 874 and press option 4. You will then receive a reference number. When you have a reference number, you can call your nearest regional Pikitup Depot to request the removal of the illegally dumped rubble,” said Ms Sheik.
