Clean-up launched in Chinatown
CYRILDENE’S Chinatown is undergoing a major clean-up through an intervention by the Joburg metro police department (JMPD).
Yesterday, officers distributed a list – in Mandarin – of all offences and fines which will be imposed for the violation of bylaws.
These include littering or illegal dumping, obstructing entrances and the pedestrian flow, as well as illegal parking, among others.
No longer will Derrick Avenue be filled with smelly, overflowing bins – a fine of R1 500 will be issued to anyone who litters or dumps illegally, said JMPD ward commander Sergeant Marius Boolsen.
The JMPD had over the past two weeks launched an education campaign for the community, businesses and traders in collaboration with the SA Chinese Community and Police Co-operation Centre, who sent interpret- ers with the officers to explain the by-laws to the people.
Boolsen said the perception about the JMPD among the Chinese community has always been negative, but they were trying to change that.
“Previously we used to do blitz campaigns where we went in and enforced by-laws, but there was little follow-up.
“This time we are speaking to the people, telling them what they are allowed to do and what they are not allowed to do,” he said.
Officers went door-to-door to explain the by-laws in detail. From Tuesday next week, enforcement of the by-laws will start. “We have spoken politely with them, but from next week, there will be zero tolerance. Already the area is looking better.
“Along Derrick Avenue, the vegetable, meat and fish sellers were blocking the pavements, for- cing people to walk in the street, which is dangerous. We have now drawn a line of 3 metres on the pavements in which they can trade, but they are not allowed to have any goods beyond that,” Boolsen said.
He added that there had generally been great co-operation from the Chinese community and from the businesses, who have welcomed the clean-up.
The second phase will be more drastic and will involve removing illegal extensions built over building lines. “Many have put up huge, illegal awnings and we will be asking them to take them down or we will remove them,” Boolsen warned.
JMPD spokesman Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said parking in the area would also be sorted out and he was hoping the Johannesburg Roads Agency would assist. “We need all departments to work together in this campaign.
“The area is a successful business node. It has grown from 60 shops 20 years ago to 220 businesses. Most want to trade in a clean and organised environment,” he said.
Traders were happy to co-operate. Mary Lee said she could now put her goods legally outside her shop.“I am glad they stopped others from trading all over the pavements. It was always dirty and smelly,” she said.
Peter Chen also welcomed the clean-up. His only complaint was that people from the Cyrildene area, who were not customers or business people, were using the parking spaces in Derrick Avenue as permanent parking because the street is safe.
“It is us traders in this street that pay for security. Now strangers come and park here because it is safe, and my customers have nowhere to park, which is bad for business,” he said.
Minnaar said signs would be put up for only limited parking, which would be monitored.
This time round we are asking people to co-operate