EMPD take up office at Benoni Plaza in a bid to shake things up in the CBD

Under a #cleanmybenoni board, situated at the east wing of the Benoni Plaza, is a pile of human excrement soaked in urine that forms a stream that flows to a heap of garbage near the play area. The CoE’s message on the #cleanmybenoni board urges residents to keep the town clean. It has no impact. Towards Cranbourne Avenue, debris from burnt cardboard boxes, tyres and plastic surround the graffiti-riddled plaza. Inside, the escalators are not working and a pungent stench of mould emanating from stagnant water in a blocked drain in the basement fills the air. The toilets, ceilings and lights are damaged and the lift is not working. This is the sad story of the Benoni Plaza, a once bustling shopping destination that helped to earn Benoni the moniker ‘Jewel of the East’.

Vandalism

In an attempt to halt the dereliction of the plaza, the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) handed over two offices to the EMPD’s security and laws control division on February 9.

CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini explained after the lease with the previous tenant expired, the municipality decided to deploy the EMPD to the plaza while a new lease process is being prepared, to avoid further vandalism.

“The building was derelict and an eyesore. People were complaining. Government processes dictate that when a lease expires, another item calling for a lease must be prepared. The process has been undertaken.

“In the meantime, to avoid the building from becoming an eyesore and a nuisance to locals, we decided instead of employing a private security company, we are going to deploy the EMPD,” he said.

Drugs

Dlamini blamed the previous tenant for the state of the building, saying they want this multi-million Rand and historical building restored, adding they are looking at future uses to benefit the community better.

“The building was vandalised and there was water due to a blocked drain. We restored the electricity and the leakages have been fixed. We also have a backup generator to pump out water when there is no power. We also cleaned the outside perimeter and cleaned up the inside,” said Dlamini.

The EMPD’s deputy chief of police for security and laws control, Ndumiso Gcwabe, said they would not only be looking after the building but would also tackle other issues pertaining to crime in the CBD, especially drug dealing, which he said was prevalent in the area.

Gcwabe pleaded with the community to assist them in rooting out crime in the CBD, saying, “Our eyes and ears are the community. In most parts of this town, we have challenges. We are going to intensify our operations and be visible, frequenting the hotspots.

“However, we need the help of the community to deal with crime,” he said.

Dlamini said the EMPD will occupy the facility until the lease process is finalised and a new tenant takes over.

Also Read: FOLLOW-UP: Contractor appointed to assess damage to Benoni Plaza

Also Read: Taxi drivers go after vagrants at Benoni plaza

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