The City of Johannesburg’s Mayoral High Impact Service Delivery Programme, led by Executive Mayor Cllr Dada Morero, intensified its efforts in the Roodepoort CBD (Ward 84) this week.
Mayor Morero was joined by MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services, Cllr Sithembiso Zungu, Ward 84 Cllr Johannes Goosen, JRA CEO Zweli Nyathi, Region C Regional Director Mlamleli Belot, and officials from key City entities, including Johannesburg Water, City Power, Pikitup, Johannesburg City Parks & Zoo, JRA, JMPD and CRUM.
Together, the team executed a firm multidepartment operation aimed at restoring order and improving service delivery in the busy inner city. They walked through the precinct, engaging directly with residents, business owners and informal traders to understand challenges on the ground.
JMPD enforced bylaws, shutting down illegal trading operations and closing several businesses found to have illegal water or electricity connections. In partnership with the Department of Home Affairs, the City also conducted immigration and work-permit compliance checks.
Mayor Morero raised urgent concerns about stormwater management along Van Wyk and Albertina Sisulu roads, instructing Region C to improve street curbing to stop rainwater from flowing onto roadways.
Pothole repairs across the CBD remain ongoing, with the mayor emphasising the need for constant maintenance during the rainy season and noting that several streets have been earmarked for resurfacing as budgets allow.
JRA CEO Zweli Nyathi highlighted the persistent problem of blocked stormwater drains. “Our teams clean these drains regularly, especially in the rainy season, yet they continue to be filled with litter. This leads to flooding in shops and makes pavements difficult to use,” he said.
Key focus areas of the operation included:
- Illegal utility connections: Disconnections were carried out, and one butchery received notices for expired meat and illegally discharging sewer waste into the stormwater system.
- Hijacked trading containers: The Department of Economic Development identified abandoned containers meant for informal traders that had been taken over by homeless individuals.
- Informal trading compliance: The mayor voiced dissatisfaction with unsafe and non-compliant makeshift stalls.
- Illegal dumping: Pikitup cleared major dumping hotspots and flagged the need for more skips due to high waste volumes.
- Land invasion and encroachment: Notices and fines were issued to businesses encroaching on City land, with warnings that non-compliant structures will be demolished.
Closing the operation, Mayor Morero stressed the importance of community cooperation. “Today we identified the key service delivery failures and responded accordingly. We patched potholes, removed nuisance containers and tackled non-compliant businesses. But residents, traders and business owners must also play their part. Illegal dumping, littering and unlawful connections must stop. Compliance with City bylaws is non-negotiable.”
The City will continue working with the Department of Economic Development to rehabilitate long-neglected trading stalls and allocate them to compliant informal traders. Along Van Wyk Street, City entities also showcased their services, shared information and engaged with the community throughout the operation.
Written by Thembelihle Radebe