New pound on the cards for JMPD
The five-hectare property, which can accommodate approximately 10 000 vehicles, is a significant improvement from the current Turffontein pound which only provides space for 740 vehicles at a time.
THE Department of Public Safety, together with the Department of Economic Development in the City of Johannesburg, welcome the recent Council resolution to purchase land in Denver to be converted into a vehicle impound.
The five-hectare property, which can accommodate approximately 10 000 vehicles, is a significant improvement from the current Turffontein pound which only provides space for 740 vehicles at a time.
This R40-million purchase will assist the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) in fulfilling the mandate of reinstalling law and order in the City through its Buya Mthetho operations.
Furthermore, in adherence with legislation, JMPD will be able to adequately house all vehicles that have been impounded due to infringements such as illegal parking, unroadworthiness, illegal dumping and non-compliance of road regulations like drinking and driving.
Though the land still needs to be officially signed over to the City and the space rezoned to operate as a pound, both departments hope to break ground with this project within the next year.
Coupled with the purchase of the new impound the JMPD is in the advance stages of procuring 20 brand new break-down vehicles to add on to the existing fleet.
The MMC of Public Safety, Clr Michael Sun, has in the past two years spearheaded a number of operations pertaining to roadworthiness of vehicles; these operations have been targeted at scholar transport, mini-bus taxis as well as private vehicles.
“The increase of break-downs, as well as additional space, means that we can be more visible and effective in impounding vehicles which are in many cases the cause of road accidents and fatalities as well as criminal activities,” Clr Leah Knott, the MMC of Economic Development, said.
She shared her sentiments on the importance of collaborative efforts that are needed in the City in order to deliver the required services to residents.
“Our collaboration with the Public Safety Department is an example of how symbiotic efforts can result in creating the kind of City which we all desire. The purchase of this pound was managed through the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) and we hope to eliminate non-compliant vehicles from our roads through this endeavour,” she said.
