Law and order begins with homes in our community

Bringing back law and order in our communities starts with us. The City of Johannesburg aims to deal with people who illegally open a spaza shop or panel-beating service in their homes.

Its new rates policy, released for public comment, seeks to introduce a penalty for those whose businesses contravene zoning bylaws .

Some neighbourhoods have been turned into industrial zones overnight, particularly in townships.

With an outright disregard for laws, some have turned their homes into mechanical workshops . This type of activity not only devalues the surrounding properties, but can pose a severe hazard if dangerous chemicals or machinery are used.

Without wanting to emphasise race in this discussion, it must be noted that lawlessness is particularly prevalent in townships . The big question is "why?"

Why is it so difficult for municipalities to change the "do as you please" mentality that prevails in black areas? Is it votes?

We have seen how unregulated business operations can lead to violence, especially against foreigners.

When there is no law, chaos takes over and honest, rate-paying residents move out.

According to the policy, the offender will be given two warnings before the city's revenue department will charge the property owner business rates, which are more than double the residential rates. While we do not want the state to strangle small businesses, we do not want small businesses that do more harm than good to the community.

We urge communities to participate in the public hearing so that a strategy for the common good can be drawn up.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Pravin Gordhan has called on all municipalities to offer quality service to ratepayers. But what is needed is not just better service, but greater adherence to the law.