Nearly six months after being illegally placed on the sidewalk of Malcom Road, two large shipping containers still block the walkway – with no intervention from the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD).

Roodekraans Neighbourhood Watch chairperson Andreas Oberlechner told the Roodepoort Northsider that the containers were first placed there in November 2023. Despite months of complaints and safety concerns, they remain untouched.

Oberlechner said that in January, JMPD and Ward 97 councillor Jacques Hoon inspected the site, but nothing has changed since.

“Residents have even tried to reach out to local authorities for assistance. The issue has persisted unabated for an extended period, with no apparent action taken. Besides being an eyesore, these containers welcome vagrancy,” Oberlechner added.

His concerns echo those of other residents, who have criticised the JMPD for failing to enforce municipal by-laws against illegal dumping and obstruction of public walkways.

The Roodepoort Northsider has reached out to the JMPD for comment. No response had been received at the time of publication.