Boost for trade in Randburg
The revitalisation of Randburg was given a significant boost by a High Court decision that supports the growth of the newly established traders market. The dispute arose when the owners of the Oriental Plaza Shopping Centre required that the access gate remain closed in order to force taxi rank commuters to use a pedestrian bridge leading from the taxi rank into the Oriental Plaza. Owners alleged, among other things, that the use of the bridge will enhance returns to the shopping centre.
The Witwatersrand High Court has ruled in favour of the City of Johannesburg’s decision to open gates connecting Bram Fischer Drive (former HF Verwoerd Drive) and the traders market at the taxi rank. This will lead to a significant growth in pedestrian traffic passing near the market and improve the business prospects and plight for the traders.
“The court decision is a victory for our efforts to support the planned and orderly growth of the traders market in Randburg,” says the City Manager of Johannesburg, Mavela Dlamini. The market was created to accommodate small traders within a clean and safe environment with access to essential facilities such as electricity, water, storerooms and toilets.
“However the closure of the access gate had a negative impact on their business as it forced pedestrians away from the market. These gates will have been opened to allow for the free flow of pedestrian traffic between Bram Fischer and the market,” says Mr Dlamini. The closure of the gates caused significant hardship to the traders and potential customers at the newly established formal traders market. The traders indicated that the closed gates had a severe negative impact on their ability to trade and make a living. In the light of this outcome, the City decided to give notice to the property owners that the gates would be opened.
The traders’ plight and progress in the re-development of Randburg had become a great concern to the City and had to act without further delay. Companies representing the Oriental Plaza Shopping Centre owners then sought an interim order to keep the gate closed pending other litigation.
This application was rejected by the Witwatersrand High Court on 23 November. In its judgement, the Court stated that the City is acting in accordance with its constitutional obligations in redeveloping the Randburg central business district. It also noted that the balance of convenience favours the traders as they will be unable to survive if there is no easy access for commuters to the traders market.
Mr Dlamini says the ruling has important consequences for the City’s efforts to rejuvenate the Randburg CBD. The establishment of the Traders Market is part of a comprehensive plan to bring back into the CBD and give Randburg a thorough makeover. The Traders Market was created to curb illegal informal trading in the area and address the plight and economic growth of the traders.
The City has also earmarked more than R5 million to finance a three-year plan for upgrading CBD infrastructure and boosting economic and social development. The Randburg CBD was declared a city improvement district (CID) in 2004 in an effort to deal with the problems of urban decay and win back business confidence. The following year the Randburg Management District was formed as a joint initiative between the City and the local business community.
There are two other court cases pending concerning the Randburg revitalisation programme. This includes two applications relating to the validity of a lease agreement in respect of a portion of the pedestrian bridge over Bram Fischer Drive and a review application relating to the decision of the City to close a portion of Bram Fischer to certain vehicular traffic.
Ends
Issued on behalf of the City Manager’s Office, City of Joburg By:
Gabu Tugwana,
Communication Director,
City of Joburg.
Tel: 011 407 7162,
Fax: 011 339 1531.
Cell: 082 495 5673
Nthatisi Modingoane
Media Liaison Officer
CITY OF JOHANNESBURG
Tel: (011) 407 7354
Fax: 403 3494
Cell: 082 467 9228
E-mail: nthatisem@joburg.org.za
