Noordwyk residents say ‘no’ to new spaza shop in their area
Residents are putting down their foot when it comes to a new spaza shop going up in a residential area, tired of having a number of spaza shops that lead to petty crimes.
The residents of Midrand, Noordwyk, Ward 112, are boycotting the construction of a new spaza shop in their area.
This is because the residents of Noordwyk find building a new spaza shop in the community to be distressing, and a threat to their safety and peace.
The residents have alleged that another spaza shop, just 50m away, has turned into a place where youth can indulge themselves with alcohol, drugs, and even commit petty crimes, leaving their streets filthy and filled with chaos.
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The community of Noordwyk is appealing to officials to take this matter seriously, as the number of shops in the neighbourhood will cause competition, leading to unwanted turf wars.
Bonginkosi Nhlapo, the residents association chairperson, said: “This is a residential property, not a business area. There is an oversupply of shops around here. If one wants to do business within the residential property, there are processes that need to be followed. You don’t just do as you please.”
A petition has been created to stop the launch of the new shop. With over 300 signatures already, their aim is 500.
It is believed that City of Johannesburg (CoJ) officials went to the house, where the new spaza shop is being constructed, to speak or serve the owner with papers. However, members of the community are not sure as to what transpired between the owner and CoJ officials as the building of the spaza shop is still continuing.
“The petition is already receiving attention at provincial and local government level. Should our plea not be heard, we will continue to do everything that is within the law, such as march, picket, and everything else, to make sure that we are heard,” said Nhlapo.
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In the interest of the safety of the residents, the community of Noordwyk is asking those around them to help by signing the petition to boycott the new spaza shop.
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