The City of Johannesburg takes pride in serving its residents and providing excellent services to all areas of the municipality. This is why dozens of officials in Joburg’s Region B embarked on a service delivery campaign called ‘A Re Sebetseng,’ which loosely translates as ‘let us work,’ to keep the City’s neighbourhoods spotless.
On Thursday, 16 March, officials from the Augmented Field Services (AFS) division, Integrated Service Delivery, Environmental Health Services, and members of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) participated in the recent A Re Sebetseng, focusing on eradicating service delivery shortfalls in Newlands, at the intersection of Eric Road and Main Road.
The officials on the service delivery blitz gathered at the Sophiatown Police Station, where they were addressed by the Integrated Service Delivery Acting Operations Manager Dlozi Mabuza and the Ward Urban Inspector Linda Hlatshwayo, who gave them instructions on how the operation would be run for the day.
Following that, the various service delivery units, entities, and departments continued their work to improve the quality of service delivery in Region B.
“Service delivery is the heart of the City. It is important to us that we consistently serve our communities. Litter is a contributing factor to pollution as it poisons our soil and freshwater sources which negatively impacts both humans and animals. Therefore, it is imperative that we keep our communities clean,” said Mabuza.
The Augmented Field Services group discovered a lot of litter in Newlands and went on to do litter picking, as well as street sweeping, scoffeling, and grass cutting.
Environmental Health Services, which is in charge of nine municipal functions such as water quality monitoring, pollution control, and solid waste management, among others, was focused on food control.
They inspected food establishments in Newlands to ensure they were in compliance with the National Health Act of 2003, Regulation 638, which provides a framework for a structured, uniform health system throughout the country.
Morne Swan, the ward’s Environmental Health Services Operations Manager, said the majority of the premises inspected were found to be in violation of the National Health Act. Noncompliance resulted in environmental health notices and fines. Another business received a prohibition notice after previously receiving a fine and a notice but failing to improve bylaw compliance.
“It is critical that food businesses use a certificate of acceptability, which they can obtain from the City’s Environmental Health Services,” Swan said.
Meanwhile, the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) was tasked for the day with repairing road markings and patching potholes.
“We are building a safer City for our residents, so it is critical that our roads are always clearly painted, as this eliminates the dangers that our motorists and pedestrians face,” Swan explained.
She said municipal officials were collaborating to create a cleaner and safer environment in Region B, and that this will intentionally ensure the City always strives for excellent service delivery, which residents take pride in.
Shabir Madingwane of the Integrated Service Delivery Directorate said the A Re Sebetseng operation was eye-opening for the community because by-laws were being enforced.
“Business owners should strive to comply with all municipal bylaws. It is critical that the community recognises the significance of municipal by-laws, which are put in place to protect them,” Madingwane said.
Written by Vonani Maluleke
16/03/2023