The MMC for Transport in the City of Johannesburg, Kenny Kunene, officially launched Operation Restore in the Florida and Roodepoort CBDs on March 11.

The initiative aims to reclaim public spaces by improving road infrastructure and restoring transport hubs to create safer environments for residents and commuters.

Operation Restore will run for 10 days, during which teams from the Johannesburg Roads Agency will be deployed across Wards 70 and 84. Their work will include road patching, filling potholes, repainting road markings, cleaning kerb inlets and unblocking stormwater pipes.

In his opening address, Kunene said road infrastructure such as traffic lights, stop signs and kerb inlets is increasingly being damaged through vandalism and illegal dumping.

“In many instances, we will spend millions on an intersection only to find it being vandalised just days later,” he said.

Kunene stressed that it is mostly illegal foreigners who engage in these activities, vowing to put a stop to the phenomenon when he is “elected as the next mayor” of the City of Johannesburg.

He urged government departments to take action against vandalism, illegal dumping, unlicensed vendors and the illegal recycling industry.

“We have worked closely with all the local ward councillors to identify hotspots within the various neighbourhoods.

“We also call on the community to do their part in reporting any illegal activity.”

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