The Johannesburg High Court has granted an order in favour of Midrand Industrial Park, prohibiting residents of Mayibuye from linking Theresa Street with Mastiff Road.

The court order also warns that any attempts by community members to disrupt or challenge the ruling could constitute a criminal offence, potentially leading to arrests if the order is not complied with.

Read more: Mayibuye and Midrand Industrial Park’s road dispute lands in court

The ruling follows a long-running conflict between the industrial park and residents, led by members of the Mayibuye Youth Activism Movement, over whether Theresa Street in Mayibuye should be connected to Mastiff Road, which runs through the industrial park.

Movement secretary Thapelo Nkoana said the outcome of the court proceedings was disappointing for the community. “The court proceedings were unfavourable to our community. With limited experience, we had hoped that we would be granted a chance to represent ourselves,” said Nkoana.

Despite the setback, he said the movement had not given up on its campaign for improved road access.

“We urge the community to never lose hope. We are still going to put up a fight… Now we will be moving to our second option, which will be announced in due course. We will continue to fight; we are not done.”

Mayibuye’s 20-year access struggle

According to the movement, when Mayibuye was established in the 1990s, an agreement was allegedly reached between the industrial park and the government to close off the road link. However, residents contend they never received consultation or understanding of the agreement’s benefits, and they are now formally contesting it.

Nkoana said, “Now that the population of our community has increased, this agreement has proven to be detrimental to the community of Mayibuye. Mayibuye has used a single entrance and exit point for over 20 years.”

He added that the movement held three meetings with the industrial park’s board to resolve the matter, but described the discussions as unsuccessful. “We even asked for a temporary opening of Mastiff Road during peak hours when there is heavy traffic on Modderfontein Road, and also during funeral processions.”

Residents believe that access to Mastiff Road would help ease congestion, particularly during peak traffic times, when emergency response vehicles and funeral processions travel to Waterfall Cemetery.

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“If the road gets opened, it will relieve Mayibuye residents from the stress of constant traffic jams. Our people will be able to get to work without traffic hurdles, and our social well-being will improve with another entrance into the community.”

However, he said the industrial park cited security concerns as the main reason for refusing access, with fears that opening the road could increase criminal activity within the industrial area. “Our solution was that the park and the Mayibuye community could work together to share security measures and guard against crime.”

Nkoana added that the community had planned to organise a legal march to raise awareness about the issue, but was served with a court interdict before the march could take place.

The Midrand Industrial Park board said it would respond in due course to the allegations of a lack of consultation in the original road-closure agreement, unfair denial of access, and the industrial park’s refusal to collaborate on solutions in due course.

The Midrand Reporter contacted the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport and the Johannesburg Roads Agency for comment on March 3.

By the time the newspaper went to print, no response had been received despite follow-up requests on March 9.

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