The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality will table a motion in the municipal council calling for decisive action to prohibit the passage and parking of heavy vehicles in residential areas, and to enforce municipal planning and by-law provisions against the illegal use of residential properties for panel beating and vehicle repair operations.
This follows a growing community outcry, particularly in Extension 6, Mookgophong, where heavy vehicles — including trucks with trailers and buses — are routinely parked in residential streets, and where a number of properties have effectively been converted into informal panel beating and mechanical repair facilities.
These activities are not only inappropriate for residential areas, but are unlawful in terms of the municipality’s land use scheme adopted under the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act, and other bylaws, which restricts such industrial-type activities to properly zoned areas.
The impact on residents is severe and currently escalating unchecked.
Heavy vehicles are causing rapid deterioration of residential roads — particularly where large vehicles are turning or repeatedly stopping. This places an additional and unnecessary burden on already constrained municipal maintenance budgets, shortening the lifespan of infrastructure that is not designed to accommodate such loads and traffic.
At the same time, residents are subjected to constant noise, vibration, and general disturbance, significantly undermining their quality of life and the character of residential neighbourhoods.
In addition, informal vehicle repair operations raise serious concerns relating to public safety, environmental harm, and nuisance, including oil spills, hazardous waste, fumes, and increased traffic congestion in areas never intended for such use.
The DA’s motion will call on the municipality to:
- Enforce its town planning scheme and land use by-laws to stop unlawful business activities in residential areas;
- Implement and enforce restrictions on the parking of heavy vehicles in residential streets;
- Utilise all available enforcement mechanisms, including compliance notices and fines, to restore order.
Residents deserve law and order, and safe, quiet, and properly regulated neighbourhoods.
The enforcement of law and order must be non-negotiable.