Latest news with #FourwaysImprovementDistrict
The Citizen
6 days ago
- The Citizen
Fourways' illegal taxi ranks continue to live by their own rules
Fourways' illegal taxi ranks continue to live by their own rules The ongoing saga of illegal taxi operations at the intersection of Witkoppen Road and Winnie Mandela Drive near Fourways Mall has taken a new turn. Following a recent clean-up effort by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Fourways Improvement District, and Ward 94 councillor David Foley to remove taxi drivers and hawkers, taxi drivers have returned. Read more: Taxi association complains that law enforcement is singling them out This time, they have moved their illegal rank to the opposite side of the road, continuing to cause chaos and safety concerns for commuters and residents. Residents and motorists have expressed frustration over the persistent problem. Lovemore Robson, who regularly cleans the area, said, 'These taxis don't only cause traffic and chaos in the area, but they also make the area dirty. I have tried to speak with the rank managers, and their response is always the same: they say they don't have anywhere else to go. 'To try to minimise the dirt in the area, I always leave bins and plastic so they throw their litter inside, but we always find the place dirty. Some even say they are creating employment/work for us because if they clean up the place, what are we going to do?' Foley confirmed that he is aware of the new developments and is working on long-term solutions. 'According to Section 47 of the Gauteng Transport legislation, it specifically says that no food trailers, hawkers, etc are allowed on a provincial road.' Foley confirmed that there will be another operation to clean up the area, as he is working with the Gauteng MEC of Roads and Transport, and taxi associations to resolve this issue. 'What Fourways needs is a taxi hub/ taxi rank where the taxis can park and street vendors can operate. But for now, I will keep cleaning up the area and enforce the city by-laws to keep the area clean,' added Foley. Fourways Review reached out to Xolani Fihla, JMPD spokesperson and Mbuzeni Muhlongo of Alexandra Taxi Association on August 5, and has been following up. More information will be provided once it becomes available. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
The Citizen
25-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Displaced but not defeated, hawkers vow to fight for their spot
'They removed us so that they can plant trees,' declared hawker Blessing Melambo, a statement that encapsulated the anguish many traders feel as they were forcibly cleared from the busy intersection at Winnie Mandela Drive and Fourways Boulevard. The removals, executed by the JMPD following a call from Fourways Mall, Ward 94 councillor David Foley, and the intervention of the Fourways Improvement District officers, are part of a beautification project envisioned by the mall. While the hawkers, including Mlambo and Fatima Mashaba, acknowledge that the land belongs to the mall's proprietors, the emotional and economic toll is palpable. 'It's really painful,' said Mlambo, voicing the frustration of traders who have long depended on the foot traffic and commerce of this bustling location. 'We really do not mind getting a designated area where we can pay rent and keep clean. We have been here for a long time and leaving just like that is not easy for us.' Also read: Fourways Gardens Estate plant 67 trees for 67 minutes of Mandela Day But not all the traders are willing to take this removal lying down. 'We are not just going to move quietly this time around,' said Lindi Mothali, vowing to seek guidance from various government departments. Mothali, and fellow traders, are demanding, not only a right to their livelihoods, but also a seat at the table in future decision-making processes. 'It's painful, because we get our items from the mall,' said Margaret Seanego, highlighting the close economic ties that bind them to the mall's ecosystem. Seanego said she has spent decades trading at this intersection, and she laments that her removal now endangers her ability to support her grandchildren. 'We just need them to show a little compassion and work with us, because we are also customers at the mall.' Foley, at the time, said the law is clear, hawking is not permitted on provincial roads. He also confirmed that the removal of the hawkers was lawful. Also read: Lonehill residents create 'Garden of Eden' at shopping centre with indigenous plants Trees to bring shade and beauty, but at what cost? In a few short months, a soft, green canopy of Celtis Africana trees will stretch over parts of Winnie Mandela Drive and Fourways Boulevard. Hardy, evergreen, and low-maintenance, the species was specifically chosen to line the streets leading up to Fourways Mall as part of the beautification project which is now in full swing. The trees, 200 in total, were donated by Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo to enhance the environment around the mall. They're being carefully planted by local landscaping company, We Serve Landscaping, headed by Ishmael Mutileni His team has already begun work along the key arteries surrounding the mall, including Cedar Road. 'These are not just any trees,' Mutileni explained. 'Celtis Africana are perfect for urban spaces. They don't damage infrastructure with their roots and they stay lush during their season. In just a few months, this area will be transformed.' Also read: Fourways resident fed up with eye sore vendors taking over Winnie Mandela Drive The project has been championed by Fourways Mall representative Nicho Mbhumi, who described the current phase as a milestone. 'I'm very happy, because this is what I needed to see. We want to improve the aesthetic of the mall for the community, environment, and people who are coming to the area. I can't wait for them to bloom and show off their beauty. 'We understand that the informal traders are trying to make a living, but law enforcement is also important. We were very understanding when we were enforcing the law. Nobody's goods were impounded. We simply explained why they can't be here,' said Mbhumi. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
The Citizen
19-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Law vs livelihood: JMPD removes informal traders from Winnie Mandela Drive
The streets between Winnie Mandela Drive and Boulevard Road, just before Fourways Mall, are usually bustling with activity, and it is all thanks to the informal traders who call this spot their workplace. That all changed on June 19 when JMPD officers swooped in, removing the informal traders and their stalls. The move was based on a call to action from the Fourways Improvement District, a non-profit company, Fourways Mall, and Ward 94 councillor David Foley, who said it is for a very specific reason: 'It's against the law to trade on provincial roads.' Also read: Informal traders, pointsmen, and traffic light tamperers, your days in Fourways are numbered Foley said that the area is slated for a beautification project, aimed at making the spot more welcoming to the visitors and shoppers at Fourways Mall. 'We are planning to beautify the area with plants, so that it is welcoming for people who plan to come to the businesses. It will also be easier for officers to monitor the area.' What does this mean for the informal traders who rely on this spot to make a living? Fatima Mashaba, from Diepsloot, said she started trading in the area in 2022. 'I don't know where to go because this is my only means of income. What is it that my kids are going to eat? I am aware it is against the law, because this is not the first time that the police came to remove us from the area, but there are no jobs. What can we do?' Also read: Community funding initiative continues in order to fence off informal settlement @caxtonjoburgnorth An informal trader on Winnie Mandela Drive and Boulevard Road in Fourways tries to negotiate if authorities can place them elsewhere to trade after being removed from the area. Video: Ditiro Masuku ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North She is not the only one, a second trader, who asked not to be identified, said the authorities should've issued them a warning about their visit, so that they could plan. 'It is not fair because it means today I did not make enough money. If they told us that they were coming, or said: 'Okay, today is your last day, tomorrow don't come here', it would've been better.' 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!
