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On Friday the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) together with the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) and Joburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) embarked on a joint operation in order to remove all illegal road closure structures and re-open Koch Street in Joubert Park to the residents of the area.
This illegal road closure was brought to the City’s attention by residents who communicated their inability to access public space which adversely affected their freedom of movement. The right to freedom of movement is enshrined within Section 21 of the Constitution of South Africa.
After careful investigation into the matter the JPC confirmed that ownership of Koch Street is currently vested in the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, and is managed by the JRA. It was further confirmed that there was no valid lease or approved application in place with the Park Station Hotel that allowed for the closure of this road solely for private use.
In light of the above, a notice was issued to the hotel informing them of the illegal closure as well as advising that they had 7 days within which to re-open the road. JPC also met with the owner of the hotel on 5 March in order to resolve the issue amicably and a positive engagement followed where the City advised that the hotel is required to follow due process and apply with JRA for private usage of any public streets.
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Issued by Department of Economic Development
Office of MMC – Leah Ruth Knott
For more details contact:
Andrew Stewart Strategic Director – Office of the MMC of Economic Development
Cell: 081 367 8861
Email address: AndrewSte@joburg.org.za