As a concerned and proactive community member, parent and grandparent, I am concerned about what is happening in Corona Street.
Experience has taught me that little ‘establishments’ like the ones you see mushrooming right on the corner of the street start off small and innocent and soon we are faced with a plethora of challenges like crime, widespread drug abuse, total disregard for the law and, yes, even prostitution.
The ‘hookah pipe’ stand has turned into the go-to place for all sorts of characters who never used to ‘visit’ this part of Eden Park.
With steel structures firmly cemented in the ground, pedestrians are now forced to walk in the street and face injury to life and limb because the pavement is now occupied by these ‘street vendors’ and their steel structures and free Wi-Fi.
Twice now I have watched how my grandchild was almost hit by a car because she was forced into the street.
When it rains it is even worse because one is not aware of the oncoming traffic until it is right in front of you.
On weekends this situation gets even worse because then all the people who flock to this place to smoke ‘pipe’ and use the Wi-Fi park their cars in the street and in front of the yards of whoever is closest to the spot they want to be.
So nobody can get in or out until they decide to go, which is usually around 4am.
Last week I had to wait three hours for someone to move their car from my gate.
When they finally came, I was given a lot of attitude and was even threatened.
This being a residential area, is this even allowed?
Why is the SAPS not doing anything about it?
Does this ‘vendor’ have a licence to sell what he is selling?
What does the law say about erecting steel structures on pavements?
My fears are:
• Establishments like these have the tendency to attract unwanted criminal activity. More and more underage children flock to these places, especially now that schools are closing, so sexual predators know where to find them
• Fights are bound to break out. Does the vendor have the necessary security to contain or prevent such, because clearly these hookah ‘flavours’ have some sort of inebriating effect, it would seem
• After these crazy weekends, the streets and surrounding areas are left vandalised and littered with broken glass. Whose responsibility does it become to clean up?
• The real threat of serious car accidents are becoming more of a reality with each passing weekend. Do we have to wait until that happens?
• As an elderly person, is it not my right to defend my right to privacy and peace and quiet after having worked all my life? Why should I have to settle for this harassment and the police’s total blasé attitude when I keep on reporting the same matter?
• Lastly, I am afraid that I will take matters into my own hands as a final act to protect my family and my neighbourhood.
Before this happens, my plea is that authorities give this matter their urgent attention.
Gatvol grandparent
The RECORD received the following comment from the City of Ekurhuleni:
On Friday, November 29, officers responsible for Eden Park area, made a turn on Corona Road and notified the person(s) responsible for the illegal structure to remove it.
The owner cooperated and the shack was removed.
Ferrari Street was also visited on the same day.
The seven days’ notice was issued, for the illegal structure to be removed and if seven days lapses without any action, we will be compelled, to demolish the erection.
