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The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Windsor East Courtyard remains a problem
The Courtyard building on Earls Avenue, Windsor East, remains standing, continuing to be a drug den, despite meeting all requirements to be classified as a problem property, as per the Problem Property By-Law Section 7. Read more: Small courtyards ideas for all seasons Ward 98 councillor Beverley Jacobs has been escalating the issue, but faces problems getting it addressed. Several city officials have visited the hazardous and dangerous property, yet with no resolution. She explained that the property has been a significant source of concern since before 2016. Despite numerous attempts to address the matter, the situation remains unresolved. 'The legislation has to be looked at again. At the moment every entity is saying that it's not their problem, including the owners, and this is what we are left with. My concern, however, is not only the lack of action and accountability from the entities, but also that this is a problem property in terms of the problem property by-law. No entity, despite having been made aware of this matter years ago, has made any attempt to declare it a problem property, and taken the necessary action in terms of penalisation.' She added that the city, and residents, spent a substantial amount of money in cleaning up around the property. She confirmed that the property has been abandoned by its owners, many of whom are traceable, but have refused to take responsibility. Some units remain bank-owned, with no intervention or accountability shown by the financial institutions involved. Also read: Region B CRUM continues with service delivery campaign around Randburg 'No municipal services have been paid,' Jacobs said. 'Including rates and taxes. Water and electricity were disconnected years ago. The premises is being used for illegal activities, including the operation of a scrap yard and serving as a drug den. The property is a source of rat infestation and ongoing public dissatisfaction. City resources are being repeatedly deployed to clean up this property, at the expense of other service needs.' The building was a focal point in the recent clean-up by the City of Johannesburg's Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM) Region B and other city departments, during the high impact service delivery initiative. CRUM regional director Sello Lemao explained that, in terms of the building control and by-laws, the building was condemned. 'To be able to demolish the building, on our side, we have to actually obtain the demolition order. That process that is led by Group Forensics and Investigation Service (GFIS). When I came in as regional director, I found that there had been an order, but that order was not executed, simply because GFIS had to do other due diligence as the building belonged to people. They have done a lot and have gone deeper to actually find the owners.' He added now that he is director, he is following up on the new order. 'The new information that I've got is that everything is in place, and that the building, at some point, will be demolished. I want to demolish the building. I'm going to follow up to ensure that this time around, the building is demolished.' GFIS were sent questions about the demolition order, but had not replied by the time of print. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Windsor residents receive valuable information At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
28-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Region B CRUM continues with service delivery campaign around Randburg
The City of Johannesburg department of Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM) Region B continues with its high impact services delivery campaign in Wards 98 and 99. Read more: Randburg Service Delivery Centre collection drive aims to recover over R30m by disconnecting City Power customers who aren't paying CRUM, with various other city departments, such as: Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA), social development, building control, environmental health, and others, took over Windsor East, fixing potholes, cleaning, and checking some of the buildings. The Windsor area has been left behind, battling with numerous challenges. During the campaign, roads in the area got painted and signs were installed. Illegal operating schools were visited, and notices were issued. Old buildings were cleaned and social development profiled homeless individuals, making efforts in linking them to shelters, and facilitating reunification with families where possible. Among other findings, were creches and day cares that are operating without registrations, and not in suitable buildings. An illegal school, which comprises a primary and high school, was found in one of the complexes in Windsor East. They were issued a notice by Environmental Health Services for non-compliance with the school health regulation. Ward 98 councillor Beverley Jacobs welcomed the campaign. 'As a councillor, I serve as the voice of my community. The challenges my residents face are regularly raised on the platforms available to me, namely in regional ward councillor forums and committees. When these long-standing concerns are finally acknowledged, through interventions like the high impact service delivery initiative, it is welcomed.' She further stated that these measures are temporary, but they are a step in the right direction, and a sign that persistent advocacy can lead to action. 'This is not a sustainable method for service delivery. Sustainability lies in two critical areas: Residents taking ownership of their environment, and the municipality implementing a structured, long-term maintenance plan. Also read: Fontainebleau resident hopes for better service delivery 'Operations like this play an important role in highlighting and recording ongoing service delivery challenges. They also serve to educate the public on the scale of the municipal issues faced.' This is the third week of the campaign, and the second week spent fixing some of the challenges around the Randburg area. Region B CRUM director Sello Lemao explained that this campaign means that they will be doing things differently. 'This programme, was actually started in Region F. If you were to go there, you would have seen that there's a lot that has been done. From bad buildings, to all those illegalities in that city. My region has been neglected a bit and has many challenges, especially when it comes to service delivery.' He added that Region B is where there are high-rate payers and most of the amenities, or facilities, of the City of Johannesburg. 'The city has been decaying and not been doing well in service delivery. It is time the city also focuses on this region. I have to bring up resources, and focus on this region in different wards weekly. We need to see sustainable service delivery.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Resident concerned about lack of service delivery At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
