Councillor confronts hawkers and illegal advertising along busy Kyalami intersection
Ward councillor David Foley raises concerns about growing illegal trading and advertising at the R55 and M71 intersection near Kyalami Corner, stating safety and by-law violations.
Ward 94 councillor David Foley is raising concerns over the increasing number of hawkers, as well as the overwhelming number of illegal advertising boards, at the busy intersection of R55 and Main Road near Kyalami Corner.
According to Foley, this is a major problem, due to both safety concerns and non-compliance with municipal by-laws. He noted that informal traders operating at the intersection, along with unauthorised advertising boards and trailers, are not respecting the by-laws at all. Foley explained that the hawkers are too close to the roadway and can distract drivers, especially during peak traffic hours when congestion is already high in the area.
Read more: Illegal advertising is out of control
During an oversight visit with the Midrand Reporter, the councillor spoke to most of the illegal traders, explaining to them that what they are doing is illegal, and that they need to do it in the right way so that no one, and nothing, is affected. As he was talking to the hawkers, some said they understood what he was explaining, and asked for the councillor to give them time to finish selling their stock, before they move. “The issue is not necessarily about people trying to make a living, but rather about ensuring trading happens in the right places and is regulated,” said Foley. “This is a provincial road, a busy one for that matter, and that means it has laws that need to be followed.
Also read: Vorna Valley plagued by illegal adverts
“Most provincial roads are 80km or 100km per hour, while municipal roads are 60km per hour, so people should not be stopping to shop on the side of [a provincial] road, because it is dangerous and illegal.”
He added that illegal advertising has also become a growing concern within the same space, with posters and trailers that cannot be easily removed.
These illegal advertisements, according to the councillor, not only affect the appearance of the area; they also damage Kyalami Corner’s image and contribute to disorder.
He vowed to follow through with this matter, and go to the right entities to ensure that it gets resolved. Foley said maintaining order in public spaces is essential to ensuring that roads remain safe, clean, and accessible to all.
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