By: ANG Reporter
City of Joburg Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Roads and Transport, Cllr. Kenny Kunene on Friday embarked on a joint operation with the city’s Transport Department, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), the Cross Border Road Transport Agency and Home Affairs Immigration Services. The purpose of the operation was to ensure that cross-border bus operators, operate from their designated ranking facilities and to verify compliance.
Kunene said he had received numerous complaints about suspected unlawfully occupied and operated cross-border bus facilities. The operation started off at Power House Station, on Simmonds Street, Braamfontein. JMPD impounded a bus, which was illegally loading passengers to Harare, whereas the bus permit only allowed for operations between Harare and Bosmont Station in Tshwane.
Kunene, then proceeded to Chigubu (Regional Premium Class) on corner Harrison and Leyds Street, which saw the JMPD impounding a further three (3) non-compliant busses. These four (4) buses were subsequently escorted to a designated impound facility. Kunene had a telephonic engagement with the owner of the facility, who agreed to cooperate and would meet with the Transport Department on Monday, to sort out their compliance issues. MMC also visited other “crawls” within the vicinity, claiming to be parking bays but were loading passengers; these were subsequently shut down.
The operation ended in Braamfontein on Smith and Biccard Street, at a facility fronting as a carwash but operating as a loading bay for cross border busses. Upon arrival the bus drivers fled the scene, leaving the busses unattended. After an unsuccessful telephonic engagement with the owner of the premises, the MMC then asked JMPD to lock the gate and ensure that none of the busses leave until the drivers show themselves.
As Home Affairs was part of this operation, more than thirteen (13) undocumented foreigners were detained. Kunene said this was an ongoing progamme as part of his #OperationRestore #OperationLokisa #OperationLungisa #OperatsieHerstel.
Kunene thanked the law enforcement agencies as well as the COJ Transport Department for their dedication in restoring inner city and returning it to its former glory.
Good work for mmc of transport