By Charmaine Ndlela
The City of Johannesburg has suspended street parties across the metro for the festive season, with the MMC for Public Safety, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, warning that only permitted events will be allowed to proceed.
The move follows a deadly incident at an unauthorised street party in Diepkloof, Soweto, where a 19-year-old was shot dead and three others were seriously assaulted during a violent altercation.
Tshwaku said the event had not been approved by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and was held without official police visibility or patrols.
He warned that all non-compliant events will be shut down and organisers held fully accountable.
“No event can take place without approval from the JMPD and the City of Johannesburg. All events, regardless of size or type, must comply with the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act (SASREA) No. 2 of 2010 and city by-laws,” he said.
Tshwaku explained that the Joint Operations Committee (JOC) is the city’s primary approval body, coordinating agencies including JMPD, Emergency Management Services (EMS) and Disaster Management to ensure public safety.
“Holding a public event, particularly one involving large crowds or temporary structures, requires prior written approval in the form of a safety certificate or permit. This is non-negotiable,” he said.
He added that non-compliance constitutes an offence under the Emergency Services By-Laws and may result in immediate shutdowns, fines and criminal prosecution.
“The safety of our residents is our top priority. We will continue to clamp down on lawlessness and strictly enforce by-laws,” Tshwaku said.
The city has urged organisers to follow its comprehensive approval checklist, particularly for events involving municipal infrastructure or additional safety and security measures.
INSIDE METROS