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The City of Johannesburg’s Transport Department has raised growing concern over the increasing number of unauthorised security access installations being erected by residents without proper consultation, approval or authorisation from the City.
Many of these security access points, including boom gates and other access control measures, do not comply with the City’s Security Access Restriction (SAR) Policy of 2018, which regulates road closures and access restrictions on public roads.
The SAR Policy provides clear guidelines and processes that residents and communities must follow before implementing any road closure or security access restriction. In terms of the policy, applications must be submitted to the City for consideration and approval before any construction or installation work may commence.
The Transport Department has expressed particular concern regarding a recently erected structure by the Dunkeld Village Association (DVA). While the association applied for a road closure in accordance with Section 46 of the Rationalisation of Local Government Affairs Act, No. 10 of 1998, and subsequently received approval from the City, the approval was subject to specific terms and conditions.
The City has since found that the DVA is implementing the approved road closure in contravention of these conditions, with palisade gates reportedly installed at locations not authorised by the City.
The City reiterates that public roads remain public assets, and any security access restriction measures must strictly comply with the approved conditions and municipal regulations.
MMC for Transport, Cllr Kenny Kunene, said the City would not tolerate unlawful alterations to public infrastructure.
“The City of Johannesburg supports lawful and properly regulated safety measures that balance the security concerns of residents with the public’s constitutional right to access public roads. However, no resident, association or private entity has the authority to unilaterally alter public infrastructure or restrict access in contravention of approved conditions.
“We will act decisively, through the appropriate legal and regulatory channels, against any unlawful road closures or installations that undermine the rule of law and municipal governance,” said Cllr Kunene.
Residents are reminded that failure to follow the required approval processes for road closures and security access restrictions may result in enforcement action. The City will continue to use the necessary legal avenues to address non-compliance and prevent unlawful activity on Johannesburg’s roads.
For further information on the security access restriction Policy, 2018 on Illegal Road Closures, please contact Nobuntu Duze, Deputy Director, Transport Department, at 075 456 4279.
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