Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesifi has condemned the “malicious and seemingly coordinated vandalism” of recently revamped public infrastructure in the Johannesburg city centre and Nasrec ahead of the G20 Leaders Summit next weekend.
According to Elijah Mhlanga, G20-branded symbols, signage, and street lights have reportedly been targeted less than two weeks before the Summit, which takes place at the Nasrec Conference Centre, near Soweto.
“These mischievous and cowardly acts of vandalism, which include the destruction of newly installed G20 Summit signage near Nasrec by reported armed assailants and the damage to streetlights and traffic signals along the R55 route, represent a direct assault on our nation and its standing in the world.
“This is not a petty crime, but it’s a deliberate and malicious campaign of sabotage, designed to undermine and tarnish the image of our province and country as we prepare to welcome global leaders,” Mhlanga said on Sunday.
Mhlanga’s remarks have coincided with a series of ramped-up operations by the City of Johannesburg ahead of the much-anticipated summit.
On Saturday, the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, and other city officials conducted a series of by-law enforcement operations, which included visits to night-time establishments and the alleged removal of homeless people from the streets to identified shelters.
Tshwaku reported that this clean-up campaign on Smit and Joubert Street was a success, with homeless people taken to safer places.
However, a visit to Smit Street on Sunday painted a different picture, with some of the homeless people seen in the vicinity.
Gugu Vilakazi from Vosloorus in Ekurhuleni said that her dream of becoming a dancer left her with no choice but to relocate to the streets of Johannesburg.
“What happened to us last night is painful, because we were told to leave our spots without being referred to an alternative shelter. It would have been better had they taken us somewhere safer, but we were told to just leave. We have been moved multiple times now, but they still fail to give us a worthwhile alternative,” she stated.
Another homeless woman, Nomkhosi Ndlovu, originally from KZN, related her story of pain following a recent prison stint, which resulted in her two children being taken in by social services.
“It has been a rough year of being on the streets after spending some time in jail. I do not have access to my children, who have been taken in by the Department of Social Services. I do not have a job or a place to stay,” she said.
Tshwaku indicated that the weekend-long operations included targeted operations in Hillbrow, with reports that one non-compliant nightlife spot was closed down on Saturday.
“Before our operations, Smit and Joubert Street were cluttered with illegal structures and homeless individuals, creating safety and cleanliness challenges in the inner city. However, after the JMPD BMU assisted homeless people to relocate to shelters and removed illegal structures, restoring order, improving safety and keeping the area clean, the area is now safer, cleaner, and more orderly,” Tshwaku stated.
Meanwhile, City of Joburg Mayor, Dada Morero, who recently launched the CEO City Cleanup campaign aimed at road repairs, fixing of potholes, damaged pavements and faded road markings, said the city is ready to host the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
Reacting to the recent operations in the city, DA caucus leader Belinda Kaiser-Echeozonjoku accused the city of ignoring the cries of its citizens, while engaging in an elaborate PR exercise to please international guests.
“It’s an absolute disgrace that the City of Johannesburg only acts when international visitors are coming,” she said.
