Ward 102 councillor Bea Campbell-Cloete teamed up with residents to clean up behind the Randburg Post Office on Kent Avenue in an effort to improve the appearance, safety and overall condition of the Randburg CBD.

This forms part of ongoing efforts to restore pride in the area and create cleaner, safer environments for residents, businesses and visitors. Campbell-Cloete explained that the Randburg CBD faces a combination of illegal dumping, litter, unlawful trading, improper parking, informal activities, dirty public spaces and by-law enforcement challenges. “The clean-ups are not only about picking up litter; they are an effort to clean up, restore pride, restore safety and hope in the CBD.”

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Workers in the area mostly use the space behind the post office during lunch breaks. The overgrown, litter-filled area was cleaned, left in better condition, and replanted with sidewalk vegetation. The councillor said a clean-up is only successful if the area remains clean six months after the operation. “At this stage, with displaced people and general lawlessness in the CBD, it will take months to try and restore and rebuild pride in the area. We need routine maintenance, regular inspections, visible by-law enforcement and accountability from the responsible city entities.”

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She said ongoing enforcement, dedicated cleaning crews, foot patrols and a dedicated by-law unit are needed to ensure the area is restored. “I believe the community has an important role to play. The clean-up initiative, for example, brings residents, businesses, organisations and volunteers together for regular clean-ups and beautification. It has to be a whole-of-society approach.”

She added that community involvement is essential because residents, businesses and sporting organisations are often the first people to identify problems. “Problems must be reported to entities and escalated to the councillor regularly. Regular feedback between stakeholders is also important to ensure results stabilise over time. Ward 102 has been through a very destabilising five years, it will take time to restore trust, respect and co-operation, but it can and must be done.” She urged residents to support and take part in clean-up initiatives.

Questions regarding by-law issues in the Randburg CBD were sent to the Johannesburg Metro Police Department. Their response will be published once made available.

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