JRA removes hazardous barbed wire near Bryanston High
With no wayleave, or approval, a resident placed barbed wire and spikes on a pavement near Bryanston High School. JRA has since removed the hazardous installment.
An illegal barbed wire installation on city-owned pavement near Bryanston High School has raised safety and legal concerns among parents, school staff, and city officials.
The barbed wire, reportedly erected without a wayleave or any official approval, was removed by Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) after intervention by local authorities.
According to Ward 102 councillor Lucinda Harman, a private resident enclosed part of a public pavement area using barbed wire and pavement spikes, directly endangering school children who walk through the area daily.
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“Despite Bryanston High School approaching the property owner with their concerns, the resident went ahead with the installation. The area is not only used by children but also by parents who park there to drop off or collect their kids. The installation was not only illegal; it was outright dangerous.”
JRA confirmed that they were notified of the installation by Harman. Upon inspection, the agency deemed the barbed wire and spikes illegal, as no wayleave or city approval had been applied for or granted.
“Yes, the installation was illegal. No wayleave was applied for or approved,” said Khayalethu Gqibitole, head of department: regional operations at JRA.
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Following the discovery, JRA reported the matter to Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) by-law enforcement.
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JMPD then escorted the JRA team to the site to safely remove the hazardous material. No fines or penalties were issued to the property owner at the time.
In a surprising twist, yellow caution tape appeared on the same site shortly after the barbed wire was taken down. JRA suspects that the homeowner may have placed the tape. “We suspect the tape was put up by the property owner. We have removed it as well.”
To prevent future incidents, JRA is working closely with JMPD and other relevant departments. “We are monitoring the situation, and further enforcement actions will be taken if necessary,” Gqibitole said.
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