Tshwane works to light up and secure Poort’s dark, filthy routes

After years of neglect, alleged escalating crime and deteriorating public infrastructure, the Tshwane metro has unveiled a series of urgent measures aimed at rehabilitating the route along the M1, from Wonderboom Waterfall to Rosslyn Road.

Residents and commuters in the area have long voiced their frustration about the unsafe conditions, which include non-functional streetlights, illegal vending, and public health hazards.

Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the plans to rehabilitate the area include steps to crack down on illegal vendors, clear unauthorised structures, and improve both infrastructure and public safety.

The stretch of road surrounding the M1 and Rosslyn routes and intersections has become infamous for criminal activity, largely due to broken streetlights and unregulated street trading.

Illegal vendors have set up shop along the A Re Yeng route, causing concerns about public safety and contributing to the accumulation of litter.

Mashigo said plans are underway to bring the Poort area (M1 route leading to Rosslyn Road) back under control.

“The metro has by-laws to regulate street trading activities and building regulations, which guide the type of structures permitted on the streets or used for informal trading.

“Any trader operating in non-trading streets will be removed, and their goods will be confiscated,” said Mashigo.

A major focus of the metro’s intervention will be supporting the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) in its request to remove the illegal structures near the A-Re-Yeng route.

Prasa had previously called for the clearance of this area to construct a security wall.

These unauthorised structures not only obstruct infrastructure development but also pose a significant safety risk to commuters.

Mashigo confirmed plans to engage Prasa directly and implement a multi-disciplinary operation to clear the area for construction.

The sale of expired food by unregulated vendors has become a serious health hazard in the Poort.

Mashigo said the metro’s health department has already conducted inspections of the area and identified several food handlers who were not in compliance with regulations.

“Prohibition notices have been issued, instructing these vendors to cease operations until they can obtain valid certificates of acceptability.

“Further actions, such as confiscation of unsafe food and fines for non-compliance, are underway,” he said.

He said the metro has taken immediate action, including confiscation of unsafe food, closure of non-compliant vendors, and issuing fines and penalties.

Perhaps the most pressing issue for residents is the lack of street lighting, which has left large sections of the Poort in complete darkness.

Lex Ferguson, who uses the route to travel to Onderstepoort daily, mentioned that it is difficult to navigate the road at night.

“I knock off at 19:00, and travelling on this road is a headache because it’s dark, and I can’t see anything on the side of the road,” said Ferguson.

The metro has yet to provide specific details on when streetlight repairs will be completed but has acknowledged the urgent need to address this matter.

In terms of maintenance, overgrown vegetation and litter have long plagued the area.

Mashigo said there is a schedule for clearing the grass and weeds along key routes, including the road reserves and middle islands along the Lavendar Intersection up to the Rachel de Beer Subway.

He said litter has already been picked up along certain sections, and there are plans to extend this clean-up effort to other areas.

“As part of our infrastructure improvement strategy, we will focus on clearing the curbs along President Steyn Road from Koos de la Rey Street towards Rachel de Beer Street, ensuring that both the north and south sections of the area are addressed,” said Mashigo.

Tshwane also established an Integrated By-Law Enforcement Committee to enforce all by-laws throughout the city and also address illegal trading.

“The Street Trading By-Law further has declared trading and non-trading streets and any traders trading in non-trading streets will be removed and their goods will be confiscated.”

Ward 2 councillor Quentin Meyer said escalating safety concerns and severe neglect of basic services and infrastructure demand immediate intervention.

“We owe it to the residents, commuters, and workers to restore safety, dignity, and order to the Poort area.

“This situation has persisted long enough, and it is imperative that we act without delay,” said Meyer.

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