Pretoria: The eThekwini Municipality is intensifying its efforts to reclaim Durban's inner-city public spaces through a series of weekly operations. These operations focus on addressing issues such as illegal structures, dumping, and the unauthorized occupation and use of open spaces.

According to South African Government News Agency, the latest clean-up operation took place at King Dinuzulu Park. A multi-disciplinary team was involved in removing illegal structures, clearing accumulated waste, conducting extensive tree trimming to improve visibility, and fumigating the site. This action follows safety concerns raised by residents and businesses, resulting in the park being restored for public use.

A similar clean-up initiative was carried out at The Workshop precinct, where teams addressed illegal dumping, flushed drains, trimmed trees, and swept surrounding streets. These efforts are part of the city's commitment to maintaining public spaces on a weekly basis, rather than relying on once-off clean-up campaigns.

Director of Supply Side and Area-Based Operations Linda Mbonambi emphasized that the operations aim to tackle recurring challenges across the inner city. Mbonambi highlighted the impact of neglected open spaces on surrounding businesses, noting that these disruptions can severely affect trade. The restoration of public spaces is not only about cleanliness and safety but also about safeguarding economic activity and rebuilding business confidence.

Mbonambi stated that the city will not tolerate the misuse of public spaces to the detriment of communities. The goal is to restore these spaces to their intended use, which is part of a broader objective to foster a culture of preservation and attract investment in the inner city.

The municipality has expressed its commitment to working collaboratively with precinct users and property owners to ensure safety, cleanliness, and infrastructure maintenance. These efforts aim to protect property values and prevent urban decay. The weekly operations will continue and expand to additional public spaces across the inner city, contributing to the creation of a cleaner, safer, and more liveable environment.