Authorities step up enforcement in Randburg central square
The spotlight is back on Randburg’s central business district as city and metro teams intensify clean-up and enforcement operations around the central square. The move, confirmed by CRUM Region B director Sello Lemao, follows a directive from Johannesburg’s Deputy Mayor Loyiso Masuku to bring order to a busy civic space that has seen rising litter, illegal trading and unauthorised parking.
Lemao told reporters the area is being prioritised because Randburg remains a key economic hub for the region. The operation combines the work of the city’s community relationship and urban management unit (CRUM), the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) and waste services, with the aim of restoring cleanliness and improving traffic management in and around the square.
“This is almost like a warning. The next phase will be to impound the cars, all of them that you see that are parked illegally, so that people can begin to understand that we mean business,”
The first phase of enforcement has focused on issuing tickets to vehicles parked illegally. Lemao described the fines as a preliminary measure before the more severe step of impoundment is implemented. Authorities also moved to clear unauthorised traders from the square, saying many do not hold valid permits.
Permits, subletting and informal trading
According to the report, some stalls in the square that appear licensed are in fact being sublet. Lemao said this pattern includes cases where the person operating a stall is not the permit holder, and some permit-holders have sublet to foreign nationals without authorisation. Those traders who could not produce valid payments or whose stalls were being operated by others were removed during the clean-up.
City teams will be working with Pikitup to maintain cleanliness, despite the challenges the waste utility continues to face. Pikitup’s role will be central to preventing a rapid return to the littered conditions that prompted the intervention.
- More intensive street cleaning around the Randburg square.
- Continued ticketing by JMPD for unlawful parking, with impoundment to follow.
- Clearing of stalls operating without valid permits and enforcement against subletting.
Local impact and likely next steps
For residents, commuters and legitimate traders the stepped-up operation should improve pedestrian safety, reduce congestion and make the public space more welcoming. But the measures will also affect informal traders who rely on the square for income. Enforcement against subletting and unauthorised vending is likely to displace some traders unless the city provides clear guidance on legal trading spots and permit processes.
Impounding vehicles will be an especially visible action. While Lemao framed initial ticketing as a warning, he said impoundment would be used to convey the seriousness of the enforcement drive. Motorists who park in the square without authorisation should expect harsher penalties as the operation progresses.
| Action | Responsible agency |
|---|---|
| Increased street cleaning | Pikitup, CRUM Region B |
| Parking enforcement and ticketing | JMPD |
| Clearing unauthorised stalls | CRUM Region B |
Officials said the effort is not a fresh initiative but a sharpening of focus on the square after concerns were raised about the area’s appearance and the impact on traffic flow. The intent is to return the square to a managed public space that supports business activity and safe movement.
Residents and traders will be watching closely to see how the city balances enforcement with support for livelihoods. Clear communication about where and how traders can operate legally, and a predictable, fair approach to parking rules, will be important to avoid escalation and to secure the long-term objectives of the clean-up campaign.
The clean-up comes amid ongoing operational pressures on municipal services across Johannesburg. For Randburg, a sustained effort that brings together enforcement, waste removal and proper permit administration could determine whether the square reclaims its role as a functional heart of the suburb or continues to be a recurring problem area.
