Residents of Lenasia and neighboring areas in Johannesburg face significant challenges related to crime, which impacts their sense of safety and security. In response, many communities have opted to install gates across their streets as a measure to deter thieves and protect their families. While this initiative can be effective in reducing crime, it's crucial that it is done in a systematic and organized way.
Installing gates should not be a decision made hastily or without proper planning. It's important for residents to work together, following guidelines that ensure these security measures don't impede access for emergency services, disrupt traffic flow, or create unintended safety hazards. Local authorities should be consulted to ensure that any gates or barriers are compliant with regulations and do not create barriers to public infrastructure.
Additionally, a systematic approach can involve clear communication between neighborhoods and law enforcement, to ensure that the gates are part of a broader strategy to improve community safety. This can also include increased patrols, neighborhood watch programs, and other crime prevention measures.
By working collectively and following proper procedures, communities can better protect themselves while also maintaining a balance between security and accessibility.
The City of Johannesburg has recently issued warnings to residents of various extensions, instructing them to remove gates across their streets, as these closures are deemed illegal under city regulations. The City has specifically exempted the Ext 5 Residents Association, but has emphasized that any other unauthorized closures must be taken down to avoid legal consequences, including potential retaliation.
The City has made it clear that residents must comply with the law if they wish for their closures to be considered for future legalization. The message from the City is straightforward: unlawful road closures and barricades are not permissible, and those who defy the rules may face severe penalties, including the demolition of structures associated with illegal closures.
For residents, this serves as a reminder that while the intent to increase security is understandable, such measures must align with municipal regulations. If communities wish to continue their efforts to secure their neighborhoods through gates or other barriers, they will need to adhere to the proper legal procedures, work with the City, and potentially advocate for changes in legislation to allow for the controlled use of gates in the future.
During an interview withGary Duke of The Suburban Solutions, an attorney who has been handling road closures since 2003, advised that the City does have a procedure that needs to be followed in order for road closures to be implemented.
“The purpose of having a procedure is to ensure that this is done in an orderly manner and that while ensuring the safety and security of the residents, you are not denying the Constitutional right to freedom of movement to citizens of the City,” Duke said.
Gary explains that the City has formulated a policy which clearly sets out how to apply, to whom to apply, what factors are taken into consideration and what can and cannot be done in terms of a road closure. The City spent a lot of time formulating this and it is a genuine attempt to balance everybody’s rights.
Isaac Khan, who works with Gary, said that the City is generally reasonable in terms of their handling of the road closure applications and if you comply with the policy, applications are generally approved. There are more than 450 road closure applications in the City of Johannesburg and many more neighboring cities such as Pretoria and Ekurhuleni.
He added that the City is happy to work with residents and their procedures are fair and reasonable. The City does have a problem where structures are put up without any controls because it creates traffic problems, violates peoples’ rights and can cause unintended problems such as the delay or inability of emergency services to access homes when needed.
Khan encourages residents to take the time to seek guidance on how to regularize the structures. The entire process takes about eight months from the date when you have submitted your application (assuming everything is in order). There are certain costs involved which must be paid (This varies depending on the size of the enclosure) such as an application fee paid to the City, cost of advertising and traffic engineering reports. The process does cost money.
“However, the process is fair and The Suburban Solution is available to assist residents with their road closure applications. The Suburban Solution has handled more than 250 road closure applications and is well equipped to assist you with your application. Out of all of the applications submitted by The Suburban Solution from 2003 to date, none have been refused as in all cases the correct procedures were followed,” stated Khan.
Khan ended by saying that in all the time that The Suburban Solution has been handling road closure applications, it has become very evident that if run properly and in accordance with the law, road closures are very effective in reducing crime within an area and are well worth pursuing. The booms alone won't totally eliminate crime; additional steps include working with security firms and putting in place monitoring systems help make the road closure more successful.
Road closure applications are handled by one of the City's most effective and well-managed departments, and they are typically fairly assessed in a reasonable amount of time.
The publication contacted the City of Joburg Deputy Director for Transport System Management Nobuntu Duze and she said that residents have to abide to the Gauteng Rationalisation of Government Affairs Act, 2008.
“There is currently no process to take the gates down, however if resident do not apply then the City will exercise its rights in relation to illegal structures on its roadway,” said Duze
Ext 5 Residents Association, deputy chairperson Yousuf Choonara, has explained that there was a full process completed to ensure that the gates are closed, including having a legal number on the gates which is identifiable for the city.
He clarified that the gates are marked with the number, and that in the event of an emergency, they will be opened to allow emergency vehicles to pass through. If a local official or even a member of parliament requests that the gates be opened, it will be done. No inhabitant is permitted to possess the keys to the locked gates; only patrol officers and board members are legally permitted to do so.
No comments:
Post a Comment