After months of frustration and repeated complaints, residents living near Hammets Crossing in Fourways are celebrating what they see as a significant victory, after delivery motorcycles parked along sidewalks outside the office park were impounded by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD).

The impoundments follow months of warnings issued to riders, who were allegedly parking illegally, servicing motorcycles on public property, and creating ongoing disturbances near the entrance to the Vicborn residential community.

Read more: JMPD impounds delivery bikes outside Hammets Crossing following months of complaints

Ward councillor Mark van der Merwe confirmed the enforcement action, saying JMPD had repeatedly attempted to resolve the matter before resorting to impoundments.

“After months of warning Uber bikes not to park and service their bikes, and JMPD asking offenders not to park illegally on the sidewalk, they have now had their motorbikes impounded.”

The move comes after residents raised concerns about littering, public urination, congestion, and safety risks associated with groups of delivery riders gathering outside Hammets Crossing while waiting for orders. Van der Merwe said there had been opportunities to provide riders with an alternative waiting area.

“Hammets Crossing has space inside their office park, for these motorbikes to park, but chose to ignore the JMPD request to allow these bikes to park inside.”

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Hammets Crossing management, however, disputes suggestions that the office park is responsible for accommodating the riders.

A representative told Fourways Review that the delivery drivers were not employed by the office park, and that management had already designated an area outside the boom gate where riders could wait. “We are not Uber. Uber needs to take responsibility.”

For residents, the impoundments represent a long-awaited response to a problem they say has affected their quality of life for months. Resident Pete Smith described the action as a step in the right direction, but despite welcoming the intervention, Smith remains sceptical that it will not provide a permanent solution.

“Our only fear is that in two weeks they will be back to their old tricks.”

Van der Merwe shared similar concerns, warning that enforcement alone may not be enough to prevent the issue from resurfacing.

“We hope that it will be a permanent solution, but we also know that the next wave of bikes will all be back on the sidewalks.”

Uber Eats South Africa was contacted for comment. At the time of publication, no response had been received.

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