Latest news with #CRUM
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!
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- The Citizen
How Brixton's hidden history mirrors modern struggles
In the heart of Brixton, a building with a storied past has taken on a new, darker role. Back in the 1990s, this spot was known as a busy butchery for Brixton Meat, a place where locals gathered for fresh cuts and community vibes. Over the years, its purpose has shifted dramatically. Today, the same building is believed to be a hub for illegal trading, a shadowy spot where illicit activities thrive beneath the surface of the vibrant neighbourhood. Read more: Reviving the Brixton community through sports This transformation is part of a broader story about urban change, struggle, and the ongoing efforts to restore order. Recently, in Ward 87, a tip-off from a concerned resident prompted a multi-agency operation involving Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM), Environmental Health, Building Control, Town Planning, EMS, JMPD, and City Power. Their mission: To investigate and clamp down on illegal trading and other service delivery issues plaguing the area. Regional director of Region B Sello Lemao emphasised that this operation is part of a larger initiative called the high impact service delivery initiative. 'This programme is designed to address all the service issues that affect residents, from malfunctioning streetlights and potholes, to illegal connections and illegal trading,' Lemao explained. 'We're bringing all the relevant departments together to work as one, instead of in silos, to get real results.' @caxtonjoburgnorth Once a bustling butchery for Brixton Meat in the '90s, now a secret spot for illegal trading, this place's story is wild. From meat to mystery, the streets never sleep. BrixtonVibes UrbanLegends SecretStories ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North – Caxton Joburg North Also read: When nightfall sets in Brixton The story of the Brixton building echoes the city's ongoing battle to keep neighbourhoods safe and well-maintained. What was once a symbol of local enterprise has become a reminder of the challenges authorities face in tackling illegal activities and urban decay. But with co-ordinated efforts and community involvement, there's hope that these spaces can be reclaimed, restoring their original purpose and the community's trust. As Brixton continues to evolve, stories like these highlight the importance of proactive urban management and the power of joined government efforts to turn the tide on illegal trading and urban neglect. 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: Brixton SAPS faces rising common robberies At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
01-05-2025
- The Citizen
Public Safety MMC begins crusade to tackle Midrand's drug problem
Public Safety MMC Dr Mgcini Tshwaku has vowed to raid all drug dens in Region A, including in the Midrand CBD, Ivory Park, and Rabie Ridge. Tshwaku, who was part of the arrest of three suspected drug dealers with a staggering R200 000 worth of crystal meth in Halfway House, said drug dealers were running amok in the area. He said, various operations, including Operation NomakanjaniManjeNamhlanje (No matter what, it will happen now and today), will be mounted to nab those who are still dealing in drugs. Also read: CoJ mayor promises service-delivery improvement in Region A Tshwaku said, following his visit to Midrand, that he is not happy with several drug rates, as some of the salons at Midrand taxi ranks harbour various types of drugs. 'Firstly, we would like to apologise to the residents of Region A, especially in Ivory Park. With the limited resources, we had to focus on areas like Diepsloot and the inner city, to ensure by-law enforcement when crime was high in the two areas. We had to take a focus-based approach to deal with that crime. Midrand CBD is no different, as it is also a high crime area. And once a crime is committed in the CBD, then [the criminals] disperse to the nearby townships, such as Ivory Park and Rabie Ridge, for hiding,' said Tshwaku. Also read: 'Disruptive' Region A residents missed the opportunity to ask availability of funds to fix infrastructure – Speaker He said they would be doing this visible policing operation with intelligence and officials from his office. They will target various businesses, including unlicensed shebeens, scrap yards, and spaza shops, looking for legit permits. Tshwaku said they will also be working with Crime Watch and the Home Affairs Department to tackle undocumented immigrants. 'There is a lot of noise from Carslwald as well. We will be coming there, focusing on nightlife to ensure that they follow their liquor license times. There has been a misalignment between us and Citizen Relations and Unit Management (CRUM). First, CRUM needs to oversee and inspect, and if they find something wrong, then, we will be able to enforce. They need to, first, be issued with a notice. Then, should the notice not be successful, we can enforce. We are working with CRUM to synchronise the system,' he added. Read more: Region A's state-of-the-art Hikhensile Clinic rapidly taking shape He urged the community to stand up and fight the mushrooming of illegal salons and spaza shops, who he believes are used to clean drug money. 'You know that salons are drug dens. We have got intel that some of those salons, the majority of them, are used as cleaning systems for [drug] money. People of Midrand… Stop whining and become the solution to the drug problem,' concluded Tshwaku. 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! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
