Joburg’s festive season safety campaign gets underway
08 December 2017
The City of Johannesburg’s festive season safety campaign kicked off from the Oriental Plaza today, 7 December 2017, amid business owners and curious shoppers.
Joburg’s safety campaign is an intense combination of efforts around road, water, fire and pedestrian safety.
In attendance was the Executive Mayor, Councillor Herman Mashaba, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Public Safety Councillor Michael Sun, Chair of Chairs Councillor Alex Christiaans, Section 79 Chairperson for Public Safety Councillor Hilton Masera, trustee members of the Oriental Plaza as well as the chiefs of Metro Police and Emergency Services together with a large number of police and emergency officers.
In his welcome address, MMC Sun said that upon taking office, he was given a clear mandate by the mayor to do everything possible to make Johannesburg a safer place for its citizens and visitors alike.
Mayor Mashaba said that at this time of the year, the extent of thoughtless behaviour was appalling. There were still too many people who did not observe the rules of the road, drove without valid licenses, unroadworthy cars clogged our roads or occupants did not use safety belts.
“Our metro police and emergency services makes me very proud to be the head of this City, however, it is very important for all of us to help prevent accidents, act responsibly and always make way for emergency vehicles.
“I am also very concerned about the attacks on police and emergency personnel when on duty to protect and serve. Communities must play an active role to prevent this from happening,” said Mayor Mashaba.
Zaheer Bhyat, Marketing and Office Manager for the plaza said: “This is a great initiative to launch the festive season safety campaign from our mall as it translated into a confidence boost for business owners and the thousands of shoppers who will be spending time and money here.”
As part of the safety campaign, joint operations will be held with SAPS, Department of Safety, City entities and other relevant stakeholders to garner community and motorist support for the various safety initiatives.
This will include education drives, pamphlet distribution, roadblocks, vehicle and body searches, bylaw and compliance checks and greater police visibility in and around the City.
After the speeches, councillors and officials visited several businesses dealing in fireworks, the food market o Mint Road as well as auto parts and panel beater shops to check for bylaw and regulation compliance.
Vernon Jacobs, who sells fireworks, welcomed the visit and indicated that he ensures regular compliance. “I usually am visited once or twice a week by EMS and explosives personnel from the beginning of November to end of December.”