This Petition is related to allocation of funds to developments that have not been endorsed by the community at large.

The community of Lenasia appreciates the allocation of funds to the area, which we have been waiting for, for a long time. It has however been our experience when dealing with the city, that projects are proposed to us after decisions have been made. As a consequence, this dismisses participation by the community to highlight important issues regarding imminent development and short falls in Lenasia .

To add insult to injury representatives of the city have stated publicly that Lenasians objects to improvement therefore pushing away funds.

Our objections to these extemporaneous decisions, made by people sitting in offices outside Lenasia, with a lack of conference using all Lenasians to determine the needs of Lenasia, before it is decided or approved.

Recent Project to be spontaneously proposed or approved:

Lenasia Central Business District Taxi Upgrade. Phase 1 of 3

We acknowledge the implication of the taxi industry to the local economy regarding transportation to and from the Lenasia CBD and surrounding businesses and facilities.

Our objections to this project are as follows .

1.        The taxi rank was upgraded in 2007 a huge sum of money was spent on the faculties, to date it lacks management and accountability for day to day operation on the ground .

2.          The upgrade presented by architects/designers lacked definitive studies and impacts as pointed out by local professionals.  

3.       This taxi rank route to and from this rank has not been marked and monitored since the upgrade in 2007 which creates high stress on traffic around Lenasia .

4.          Lenasia taxi rank is in no way a  public transport hub ,  understanding that the taxi rank services the public we have to recognize that the taxi industry is independent and does not economically contribute to the city of Johannesburg from their earnings. Yet the city is looking at their needs before paying contributing citizens.

5.       The CPC has consulted the taxi associations on spending public funds to develop private infrastructure and in doing this is showing a level of insolence not only to Lenasians but citizens across the city of Johannesburg. While they should be consulted it should be after such a project is approved by residents and legally trading businesses that are financially burdened by the City of Johannesburg.

6.          All presentations regarding this have been done without handing out any reports or budgets in writing at any meeting. Figures and facts have been word of mouth promises have been made but nothing convincing.

7.          Due to the corona virus/covid -19 pandemic that we have been experiencing it would be in the best interest of the city to re-evaluate the needs of a dynamic place such as Lenasia in terms of priorities/compulsory services required by the area.

Our proposition to dealing with this is as follows

·           We request that the budget be delayed and assigned to other initiatives in Lenasia. 

·           We request that an inclusive survey be done to understand the complications faced by Lenasians.

·           We currently have Water. Roads Healthcare Environmental and many more predicaments that should be considered with an allocation of 60-75 million Rands these are funds that could improve some of that.

·           An intervention meeting with decision makers from the financial department is urgently requested to relocate the funds or hold it until a proper undertaking can be considered .

·           Meetings should be scheduled in advance and people with complete understandings of the procedures should be present. The meetings should be transparent to all .

·           Access studies and surveys should be advertised in local papers and other media including radio, for public to view.

·           Private non-paying industries should not be given primacy over compliant members regarding development of communal spaces of interest.