Business owners, Chamber of Commerce trying to make a change in the CBD

The City Times met with Anton du Plessis, director of H&S Timbers, in June to discuss the issues he has been experiencing while trying to run a business in Benoni CBD.

“The situation has not improved at all,” said Anton in the latest interview.

“The rubbish is still a daily problem, we literally have to clean the pavement and street on a daily basis before we can start trading. Vagrants have to be chased away every morning and there has been no improvement whatsoever regarding the street fires caused by burning copper insulation.

“A few weeks ago there was a huge fire on the canopy of Ronver Heights, the block of flats next to us. Residents are throwing their rubbish out the windows, which is now piling up on the canopy where they set it alight. The building nearly went up in flames. The area is getting worse by the day.”

Mike Holtzhausen, the owner of the four properties being utilized by Cranbourne Panel Beaters, has been experiencing similar issues to Anton.

“Cranbourne opened its doors in 1975 and I started working there in 1996. I have witnessed the decline of our town,” said Mike.

“From the state of our dams to the filth in the streets, I truly wish that businesses and council would work together to come up with a plan to regenerate this special place and bring people and business back to the CBD.

“I am a true Benoni boy and love this town and its people, I just want what is best for it.”

Born and bred in Cloverdene, Mike explained the issues businesses have been dealing with as well as his partnership with Muhammad Essop, the president of the Benoni Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI).

“We organise the cleaning of our own roads by generally getting some guys to clean for us,” he said.

“But it needs more than just a clean-up. The last few weeks has been looking okay as the ward councillors got someone to do some cleaning. But the poor ladies who do clean come back the next day only to find it in a worse condition.”

Another big problem according to Mike is the vagrants.

“This is definitely a real problem and the municipality needs to come up with a plan,” he explained.

“Also, every electricity box has had its covers taken off and fuses stolen. This leaves businesses in the dark for sometimes two hours. The homeless also use the boxes as a barrier to go to the toilet. I know it’s bad to see it, but it’s even worse for the poor guy who is doing it.

“I don’t know how many vagrants there are but I would say at least 100 of them are destroying the town.”

He pointed out how vagrants frequent the Benoni Bowls Club.

“We have had customers complaining that they feel unsafe,” he said.

“I know a lot of these guys who are homeless and they seem to be nice, but the numbers are growing and not everyone knows them so it makes other people feel unsafe.

“But what do they do? There is nowhere for them to go.

“We are trying to do something about it. Maybe someone can come up with a fantastic plan that we can try. It’s to everyone’s benefit that we work together.”

The City Times is awaiting comment from the metro.

Essop recently had a strategic meeting with the following members and organisations: members of CRM, EMPD, Human Settlements Department, Department of Community Safety, PCO Office, MMC office, Benoni Taxi Association, SAPS, the CPF and also a CPR coordinator.

The meeting was held at the council chambers and according to Muhammad a lot of valid points were raised that needs to be addressed.

These included:

• The glue boys:

“We are aware of these boys causing many problems such as petty theft, sleeping all over and other criminals acts such as breaking into vehicles. They really are becoming a menace to society.

“The fires they are making by burning plastics is also a problem. I physically confronted a few and made them dose the fire. It’s not the SAPS fault that nothing is being done, the problem is they are being protected by the Human Rights Department.”

• Voortrekker area:

“We are aware of the problems of cellphones being stolen and are working on a solution to this problem.”

• Illegal businesses:

“We are looking at unfair business practices. There are loads of retailers in the CBD that pay taxes and levies but there are also many that are illegal. We as a chamber know of these people and it has been addressed with the MMC.”

• Litter:

“We have engaged with the Council and they have got people cleaning the CBD every day. But it’s the civilians that need to be educated, it’s infested by people who just litter. But we did ask the council to look at putting bins around the CBD.”

• Fire hydrants:

“There is no water in the fire hydrants throughout the CBD. We need our fire department to test the fire hydrants in the CBD at least once a month, which has not and is not being done.”

• Lighting and street signs:

“Businesses need to let me know of faulty lights and street signs that are not correct or even damaged.”

• The Benoni Plaza:

“We have asked council regarding the Plaza and are still in communication with them, but we haven’t heard anything back as of yet.”

• Owners of vacant buildings:

“We want all building owners for the vacant buildings to come forward and take responsibility. Addicts and homeless use such facilities as a home.”

• Gambling in the CBD:

“We suspect we have about 14 gambling hot spots in the CBD that are illegal. We are looking into this matter.”

“We do hear their frustrations of businesses and residents. We are doing our best to work to sort out problems.

“We are also getting frustrated with the problems in the CBD. We want companies to conform to the law and work with us and not against us. We are the voice for the businesses and the people, the middle man.

“Business people, carry on being motivated because there is light at the end of the tunnel. We are taking things seriously.”

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