Inner-city residents raise concerns at Region F CBP session

Residents of Cluster 3, which includes wards 58, 59, 60, 61, 65 and 124, gathered at the Brixton Multipurpose Centre for the Region F Community-Based Planning (CBP) session on February 23.

The session was chaired by councillor Alex Christians, the chairperson of the Housing Sub-Mayoral Committee in the City of Joburg.

The purpose of the session was to outline the city’s strategies, outcomes and priorities towards development in the city and solicit priorities and inputs to guide the development of the 2022-27 Integrated Development Plan (IDP). These sessions allow communities to have input that contributes to future development in their areas.

Speaking at the session, regional director for Region F Irene Mafune acknowledged challenges faced by the city in the delivery of some municipal services; however, she added massive strides have been taken to ensure the delivery of basic services in the region. There were long-term plans in place to revamp major areas of the inner-city.

“Residents are encouraged to make direct contributions to the city which will guide the city in the development of strategies that have an impact on their daily lives, inclusive developments are required,” Mafune said.

Some of the key infrastructure projects implemented in the region during the 2017-2021 IDP include the upgrading of Jan Hofmeyer Park, upgrading of Gilfillian Park, construction of the Milpark pedestrian bridge, construction of the Brixton Multipurpose Centre, with phase two underway and will include a new art gallery, upgrading of swimming pool and more; construction of the Rea Vaya Selby Depot, construction of the Johannesburg International Transport Interchange, which has a holding space of 800 taxis and will create a variety of economic opportunities for residents.

Current and future projects in the region include the construction of the Turffontein Clinic, upgrading of taxi ranks and transport nodes like Jack Mincer taxi rank and Metro Mall, among others, as part of the Johannesburg Inner-City Transport Master Key projects; Karsene Housing project and more.

Community members said there were corrupt activities at taxi ranks in terms of the allocation of informal trading stalls, parks meant for children to play have been turned into homes by homeless people, greywater is overflowing in taxi ranks, there is garbage at street corners and frequent power outages.

Bafana Sangweni, a resident of Ward 65, said: “Street lights in this ward have not been working for months and this has caused crime to increase. There are potholes on every road and we have never seen JRA fixing potholes or resurfacing roads. We feel like the city has forgotten our ward. We need some kind of undertaking that the city is dealing with the illegal scrapyards in our ward and active by-law enforcement is highly needed.”

Mafune assured the residents the city was working towards putting sustainable urban management interventions to heighten service delivery and reminded residents to strengthen relations with their local councillors.

Submissions can be made in the following ways:

Email comments to cbpinputs@joburg.org.za, cbpcomments@joburg.org.za, online comments on www.joburg.org.za or handwritten submissions in boxes at the regional offices.

Log onto www.joburg.org.za for the complete schedule of CBP meetings.