A 500-day campaign, aimed at turning Johannesburg into a safer environment, will be launched next month, mayor Amos Masondo said on Wednesday.
Operation Token Days — which forms part of the city’s broader safety strategy — will kick off on November 8 and run for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Eight areas targeted in the city include Hillbrow; the Johannesburg central business district, east and west; Newtown; Diepsloot; and Orange Farm.
”The city safety strategy seeks to reinforce the work done by the South African Police Service and change the negative perception of Johannesburg as an urban centre infested with crime,” Masondo said.
He said this strategy will also enable the public to contribute to fighting crime, clearing the city of crime and grime, and creating a safe and secure environment ”so that ordinary citizens can get along with their lives without any fear of being robbed and molested”.
Masondo said Johannesburg Metro Police and other parties are ready and eager to implement the plan.
”This operation will be additional work over and above visible policing, traffic and bylaw enforcement.”
Masondo said the city’s vision is to build Johannesburg into a world-class African city by 2030.
”The fight against crime is a critical component in our overall effort to realise this long-term plan.” — Sapa