Upcoming Ward 33 community meeting to address key issues
The meeting aims to address a range of concerns affecting the community, with a particular focus on problematic properties, building irregularities, and the regulation of student accommodation. The meeting comes on the heels of a recent stakeholder gathering that saw wide participation from eThekwini officials representing Business Licensing, the Health Department, Town Planning, Liquor Licensing, as well as Metro Police, Umbilo SAPS, UIPS, Umbilo CPF, and security companies.
Ward 33 councillor, Fran Kristopher, said 'the key issues discussed included noise disturbances, drinking in public, and litter along Helen Joseph Road, highlighted by the UIPs of Glenwood and Pigeon Valley as ongoing challenges for residents'.
Also Read: 'Glenwood cannot take another student res'
She said law enforcement authorities, including Metro Police, addressed the problem of illegal parking and traffic congestion, especially during nighttime hours, and noted a spike in motor vehicle accidents attributed mainly to drinking and driving. Security teams and community police forums echoed these concerns, underlining the importance of safety and security for patrons and residents.
Business owners, who were present at the previous meeting, pledged co-operation with the councillor and all relevant entities in order to build a safer, more compliant community, in line with city by-laws and business regulations. Law enforcement has since committed to closely monitoring the precinct, with the warning that any business found in contravention of regulations could risk having its licence revoked.
The upcoming Problem Property Forum meeting will continue this collaborative approach, with topics of discussion slated to include the reporting of problematic properties, building irregularities, student accommodation regulations and zones, as well as NSFAS compliance and updates on properties previously listed as problematic.
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