City’s service delivery operation enforces bylaws at George Lea Park South
City of Johannesburg municipal departments sweep through George Lea Park South in Parkmore, removing squatters’ belongings and tackling illegal dumping during a high-impact operation.
Frustration among Parkmore residents over the state of George Lea Park South reached a turning point on April 28, when City of Johannesburg municipal departments carried out a coordinated high-impact service delivery operation.
The operation aimed to address what residents describe as the growing occupation of the public space by displaced individuals.
Read more: Clean sweep at George Lea Park South as city enforces bylaws
The operation led by the city’s Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (Crum) unit, followed mounting complaints about illegal dumping, makeshift structures and fires made by people staying in the park at night.
The operation brought together multiple city municipal departments and law enforcement agencies, including Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, Pikitup, JMPD, South African Police Service and CAP Security.
Teams moved across the park, removing bedding, plastic coverings and belongings stashed in trees, as well as clearing visible waste. Although no occupants were present during the operation, signs of ongoing habitation were evident, including fire sites and stored materials.
Moipone Malaka from Crum Region B said this coordinated intervention formed part of the city’s ongoing commitment to maintaining public spaces and improving the quality of life for residents.
“The augmented full services unit within Crum, in partnership with Pikitup and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, is focusing on clearing illegal dumping, removing unlawful structures and improving environmental conditions within the park. These efforts are directed at preserving a clean, healthy and welcoming space for the community.
Also read: George Lea Park users fear losing the space as city makes changes
“The social development department is engaging displaced individuals in the area through interviews and awareness sessions on the range of support services available through the city. Individuals are also allowed to access accommodation at shelters provided by the municipality.”
Parkmore Community Association manager and Ward 90 committee member Lori Klein said, “There are a lot of displaced people staying in this park, but many of them were not here this morning [April 28],” Klein said.
“They’ve clearly gone out to do their recycling or whatever they do, but we can see a lot of fires are being made under the trees. A lot of bedding is here, bags in the trees. A lot of that has been removed, and it is much neater and cleaner.”
Klein welcomed the city’s intervention and stressed the importance of ongoing enforcement. “In this park, there is a sign which says ‘no illegal dumping’, but unfortunately, there’s no compliance. I’ve spoken to JMPD and asked them if they could please look into evening operations, as then they will find people here, they will see them making the fires, which are all illegal.
“I’m thankful to everyone who made this operation a success, but we need to look at longer-term clean-ups here and putting more pressure on the people that are living in the park…and seeing if there’s a way that they could be moved or relocated, maybe to another location.”
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