On Monday, the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) conducted an oversight visit to parts of Krugersdorp in the Mogale City Local Municipality following numerous community complaints about the town’s decline, and found widespread disorder and decay.
There are many people living on the streets, refuse is dumped in front of businesses and at street corners, and infrastructure has been damaged.
The uncontrolled abuse of drugs, alcohol and even prescription medication – evident in the streets – is a serious cause for concern.
Krugersdorp’s high unemployment rate of 39% is contributing to the rapid deterioration, with individuals begging or selling goods on virtually every street corner.
In terms of municipal by-laws and regulations, street vending is only permitted if the individual has a valid permit. Vendors may also not obstruct traffic or block pavements.
In Mogale City, however, vendors freely venture into traffic to offer their goods directly to motorists.
It is unlawful for beggars to obstruct traffic, particularly at traffic lights, as well as vendors to intimidate the public or make a nuisance of themselves.
The Freedom Front Plus has already requested the Mayoral Committee Member for Public Safety, Mr Francis Makgatho, to ensure that by-laws are strictly enforced, as such unlawful conduct endangers lives.
Owners of businesses in Krugersdorp’s CBD, with whom the party engaged, expressed their dissatisfaction with the refuse piling up in the streets as well as people openly using drugs and sleeping next to the road.
Krugersdorp and the surrounding towns in Mogale City desperately need investment, but under current conditions it is virtually impossible to attract investors to the area.
The Freedom Front Plus is wholeheartedly committed to supporting residents and entrepreneurs, listening to their grievances and escalating those to the relevant municipal departments.
Restoring the local economy and ensuring a safe environment are central to the success of any town or region.
The party will keep pressuring the Mogale City Municipality to ensure that Krugersdorp is properly maintained and that law enforcement is consistent.
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