July 24, 2006
By Emmanuel Mulaudzi
THE Inner City Task Force hit the streets of Hillbrow on Friday, 21 July, picking up litter, clearing stormwater drains, and hosing down streets.
In their distinctive red overalls, the Red Ants, as they are commonly called, took down illegal posters from the walls of the buildings, picked up rubbish from the pavements and used high-pressure hoses to remove grime from the streets.
They moved through Hillbrow, between Paul Nel and Bruce streets.
In Claim Street, Johannesburg Metro Police Department officials checked vehicles for roadworthiness and unpaid traffic fines.
The operation was part of the inner city revival campaign, aimed at boosting investment, according to Region 8's manager for Inner City Regeneration, Martin New.
Building inspectors and environmental health inspectors were also checking up on the high-rises to ensure they were conducive for living. "This is a combined operation," explained New.
The City of Johannesburg launched an inner city Clean and Green campaign in May. This R7-million campaign focused on the CBD and the neighbouring suburbs of Hillbrow, Joubert Park, Yeoville, Berea, Braamfontein and Doornfontein.
Several of the City's departments, utilities and agencies are also involved in the campaign, including Pikitup, the Johannesburg Roads Agency, City Power, Johannesburg Water, City Parks, the department of environmental health, the metro police and emergency management services.
"We are targeting high-rise buildings … there are no 'no go' areas," said New. "We will go everywhere to make Joburg a clean, green and safe environment."
Residents were also involved in the campaign, according to New, adding that the relationship between the City and public was visibly growing because "people are on the ground".
The operation, says New, will move on to certain identified areas in the CBD, but because the campaign also involves crime prevention operations, dates could not be disclosed. The operation included by-law enforcements and roadblocks.
Since the launch of the campaign, streets are being continuously swept, pavements and alleyways hosed, and stormwater drains cleared, with day shifts working overtime on Saturdays and Sundays.
Cleaning out the stormwater drains
In June, a block-to-block survey was carried out to assess the situation, and business and residential premises in Braamfontein and Hillbrow were inspected and provided with rubbish bins. Some 220 wheelie bins and 148 trolley bins were distributed in these areas.
The Kaserne taxi rank outside the Wolhuter Hostel was also targeted in a clean-up operation.
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