Seven peace officers have been appointed by Endumeni Municipality to enforce local by-laws and improve public order across Dundee.

The officers — five women and two men — have completed their training and will patrol both on foot and by vehicle. Their duties include tackling illegal building extensions, clamping down on unlawful electricity connections, and addressing anti-social behaviour such as drinking or urinating in public.
Dundee’s landmark parking meters have been recalibrated from 20 cents to R2 for 60 minutes, and enforcement will be overseen by the peace officers.
The announcement was made by municipal community services director Bongani Xulu at an Endumeni Chamber of Business meeting last week.
He added that the stricter control of the meters would go a long way towards freeing up parking and preventing people from ‘bay hogging’.

Stray animals to be impounded

The officers will also be empowered to impound stray animals and carry out spot checks at local shops for any expired goods on the shelves.
Members welcomed the move, with business people reporting that vagrants, litter and a general lack of order in the CBD has impacted on customer traffic.
“We hope that the officers have received the correct training and will assist in ensuring the safety of all our residents in Endumeni.
“We look forward to seeing how the officers will perform,” commented Chamber president Alan Schonken.

Progress will be made on the Section 106 recommendations made earlier this year

The same meeting heard that the Section 106 recommendations made earlier this year by the Department of Co-operative Governance & Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) will be implemented once more evidence has been sought. This follows a probe into municipal corruption involving a security tender.
The report recommended that police charges be opened against at least two municipal officials.
“Since then, we have had so many changes in municipal managers that the report seemed to get lost, with no progress made on implementing the recommendations,” Schonken remarked.
However, acting municipal manager Martin Sithole assured the meeting that progress was being made and steps would be taken. “I expect some action within the next few weeks,” he said, without going into specifics.

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