KUGOMPO CITY– The Quigney Ratepayers and Residents Association (QRPRA) has called on the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) to enforce municipal by-laws amid growing safety and infrastructure concerns in KuGompo city,Quigney.
The call follows a community meeting on 30 September 2026 to address unauthorised car-washing activities, damage to pavements and water meters, public drinking, public urination and illegal dumping.
According to QRPRA, residents and property owners continue to bear the cost of illegal activities that damage BCMM infrastructure.
“Residents, property owners and legitimate businesses bear the financial and environmental consequences of these activities year after year,” QRPRA said.
The ratepayers body said BCMM is responsible for maintaining public infrastructure, including roads, pavements and water meters but is failing to protect its assets in Quigney.
Furthmore, the residents group said BCMM’s Law Enforcement and Public Safety Directorate is not enforcing by-laws that prohibit the use of public spaces for unauthorised commercial activities.
“Resources repeatedly spent repairing damaged pavements, water meters and other infrastructure could instead be directed towards sustainable programmes that create employment, develop skills and support economic opportunities,” the organisation said.
QRPRA acknowledged that unemployment and poverty remain serious challenges within BCMM with many young people struggling to secure work.
However, the association said these challenges cannot justify lawlessness.
“Unemployment cannot be used as justification for activities that damage public infrastructure, interfere with residents enjoyment of their homes, compromise public safety or negatively affect legitimate businesses,” QRPRA said.
QRPRA has demanded that BCMM deploy by-law enforcement officers to stop illegal car washes and act against public drinking, illegal dumping and public urination.
Furthermore, it urged BCMM to provide designated, serviced sites where small operators can work legally without damaging municipal infrastructure.
“Our position is not against people seeking opportunities to earn a living. We believe that sustainable solutions must be found that balance economic opportunity with the rights of residents, protection of infrastructure, public safety and respect for the law,” QRPRA said.
The organisation said it remains committed to working with BCMM to find practical solutions but stressed that the municipality must lead by enforcing its own by-laws.
Courtesy of IMAGE: QRPRA
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