The slow morning traffic of Riverside View has become a nightmare and a weekday morning annoyance for many Riverside View morning commuters. A line of Vehicles come to a stop or start moving slowly as they try to exit the community using the two-lane Porcupine Park Ave. According to Busie Ngcobo, a community member and public transport commuter, “ It takes an estimate of maybe 20 to 25 minutes just to exit Riverside and get out of traffic.”

The Community of Riverside View has been experiencing lots of morning traffic or road congestion. With more housing developments in Riverside view still in construction and underway it can be said that the population of the community is still increasing. An increase in the population will potentially mean more road congestion as more commuters will flood the one exit the Riverside View community has to offer. Porcupine Park Ave is a two-lane road[ the lanes are going in opposing directions] and is currently serving as the only exit of the community.

Driving on the wrong side of the road[oncoming traffic] is what the community and many commuters have resorted to in attempts to lessen congestion and get through the traffic much quicker. The oncoming traffic driving creates an alternate route for the vehicles exiting Riverside View but however presents a problem for the vehicles coming into Riverside View which can sometimes cause more traffic and congestion.

According to Google Maps live traffic function, the last two circles on Porcupine Park Ave are the ones with the most congestion and slow moving traffic. The Google Maps recorded peak times for traffic in this specific area are from 6 am to 8 am, these times are popular for commuters as they are on their way to work and school. Dimakatso

Tshabalala a community member, and private transport commuter said she leaves the house around 6:30 am and gets stuck in traffic. She also expressed she tried adjusting her departure time to 7:30 to 8 am but there was still traffic.

Being stuck in traffic is not just an annoyance but a big inconvenience as many end up being late and catch traffic on other busy roads such as Willaim Nicol and they eventually arrive late at their workplaces. Busie said traffic makes her late to work and always being late creates a bad impression and reputation. Dimakatso went on to say that she feels the effects of traffic because she gets to work late which means her workday is shortened putting her under pressure as she has to deal with her workload in a shorter span of time.

A long-term solution for the current traffic situation in Riverside is needed and is underway as the road construction is still in progress on William Nicol and the reality of a second exit draws near. For the time being a short-term solution suggested by Dimakatso is for the community to allocate enough volunteers to control traffic or for a consistent deployment of enough traffic police to control traffic every morning.

Nightmare Traffic in Riverside View

In the bustling township of Diepsloot, a heartwarming tale of compassion and solidarity has unfolded, as residents united in appreciation for the benevolent actions of two Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers.

The officcers Raidane and Tshilambavhunwa, from RegionA Operations, emerged as beacons of hope in a community often plagued by socio-economic challenges.

Their recent act of donating food to a 22-year-old woman abandoned by her father in Diepsloot Ext 2 has not only garnered attention but has also fostered a sense of unity and support among locals.

“This shows the great work the officers are doing in the community, even if it goes unnoticed,” said Lebo Sithole of extension 2. “We appreciate this gesture from the police officers. We hope they’ll continue to help her get her documents sorted.”

In a heartwarming display of kindness, the officers went above and beyond, providing not just food for her immediate needs but also a glimmer of hope amidst her hardship.

In a statement released by the JMPD, the plight of the young woman was brought to light. Struggling to obtain essential documents such as a birth certificate and ID, she found herself at the mercy of circumstances beyond her control. However, it was the timely intervention of Officers Raidane and Tshilambavhunwa that transformed her situation from one of despair to a glimmer of hope.

“Well done to these ladies for bringing back dignity to JMPD! These kind gestures are what our communities in Diepsloot need. May God bless all the officers who show such generosity,” said another resident Nkosikhona Mabena.

The officers’ unwavering commitment to serving their community manifested in their willingness to extend a helping hand to someone in dire need.

Their gesture not only addressed the immediate challenges faced by the young woman but also symbolized the compassionate spirit that resides within the JMPD and the broader law enforcement community.

In the bustling township of Diepsloot, a heartwarming tale of compassion and solidarity has unfolded, as residents united in appreciation for the benevolent actions of two Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers. 

Community Lauds Officers’ Compassion for Destitute Woman in Diepsloot

A 37-year-old Riverside View man allegedly shot and killed his 26-year-old girlfriend on 16 February.

According to Diepsloot police spokeswoman Captain Mathebula, the motive for the death is unknown, but the boyfriend has been arrested.

“The police were conducting patrols when they received a complaint of shooting in Riverside View,” he said. “On arrival, they allegedly found a woman lying motionless on the floor, with a bullet wound on her chest.”

The boyfriend, who was found in the house, allegedly told the police that her girlfriend had shot herself with his firearm.

“Upon conducting a preliminary investigation,” captain Mathebula said, “it was revealed that the boyfriend attempted to wipe off blood stains on the floor, and his account of what transpired did not add up.”

He was subsequently arrested and charged with murder and will appear in court soon.

A 37-year-old Riverside View man allegedly shot and killed his 26-year-old girlfriend on 16 February.  According to Diepsloot police spokeswoman Captain Mathebula, the motive for the death is unknown, but the boyfriend has been arrested.

Man shoots girlfriend dead in Riverside View

The Project of a new road for the Riverside View community that would serve as a well-needed second exit is finally in its last construction phase. The project is near completion and is estimated to be completed by end of April to May of this year. The initial construction phase of the road[the entrance of the road and bridge connecting Riverside View Extention 70] was completed in 2019.

Valuemax the developer of Riverside view is responsible for and handling the construction and completion of this project. According to Medupi Phala, a Valuemax employee said the construction of the last phase of the road started in February 2023.

The new road is an alternative route entrance and exit to Riverside View in relation to the only current entrance and exit road Porcupine Park Ave leading to William Nicol. The new road starts at the back end of Riverside View extension 70, going along the Steyn City wall, and takes a left turn at the end of the wall to Runnymead Ave which eventually leads up to Cedar road.

The construction of the road thus far is impressive, it features two lanes exiting the community and two lanes coming into the community. The road is fenced and boasts an array of street lights that could potentially serve as safety measures and assurance for road users.

As the deadline for the completion of the road nears, Medupi reports that the only thing that can possibly delay the completion of the road is the electrical pylons on the road. According to Medupi Eskom has already removed the pylons from the road and has placed temporary pylons on the side of the road. For the road to be complete and functional besides that last phase of construction that still needs to be done, permanent

pylon structures need to be installed by Eskom. Medupi has assured that construction has not stopped as they wait for Eskom to install permanent pylon structures.

Medupi also goes on to say that Valuemax is building this road because it was in the initial development plans and they hope that this road will provide much-needed and necessary relief to the morning congestion and traffic that the community has been facing the Riverside View.

Riverside View Representatives have kept a close eye on the project and liaised with Valuemax for updates and took a tour of the road and construction site on the 6th of February. The Riverside Representatives have been pushing for the completion of this project as they firmly believe that Riverside is a growing community and a second exit is a basic necessity when a community’s population has increased such as the population of Riverside View has.

According to Google Maps, this new Route will cut the travel time to Lanseria International Airport from about 33 minutes via William Nicol and through Fourways to an estimated 20 mins, this reduced distance to the airport, Cedar, and nearing communities like Cosmo City will save on petrol for frequent commuters.

The Project of a new road for the Riverside View community that would serve as a well-needed second exit is finally in its last construction phase. The project is near completion and is estimated to be completed by end of April to May of this year. The initial construction phase of the road[the entrance of the road and bridge connecting from Riverside View Extention 70] was completed in 2019.

New Road in the Final Stages

n Diepsloot, the specter of violence continues to haunt residents as another life was claimed on Friday 26 January, marking the seventh death this year in one of the region’s most perilous townships.

The relentless criminal activity has left several others fighting for their lives in hospitals, amplifying fears among the community.

A Diepsloot resident captured the prevailing sentiment, expressing, “At least batho ba Palestine ba tseba that they’re under attack and who their attackers are.

Mo Diepsloot it’s like we’re being attacked by ghosts,” highlighting the residents’ sense of vulnerability and frustration with the lack of identifiable perpetrators.

The latest incident occurred in Diepsloot’s extension 1, where a man fell victim to a fatal shooting. According to a community member at the crime scene, it appears the assailants targeted the victim for robbery, taking his car keys and leaving his lifeless body beside his Renault Kwid. The survivor, reportedly a taxi driver, managed to escape the attack.

This incident follows closely on the heels of a January manhunt initiated by Gauteng police, targeting a group responsible for four murders in a single night across various locations in Diepsloot.

Despite efforts to curb the violence, the community remains on edge, contending with the ongoing reign of terror.

Residents voice their distress, emphasizing that even with a noticeable police presence, criminals continue to act with impunity, instilling fear among the population.

“It’s sad how guns are all over,” laments a community member, reflecting the widespread availability of firearms in the township.

Diepsloot Community Forum leader Loyiso Toyiya, echoing the frustration of the community, demands urgent attention from the government. He questions, “How many more must die before our government takes the issue of crime in Diepsloot seriously?” Toyiya calls for a visit from the president to the township, urging a comprehensive explanation of government initiatives to address the escalating crime wave.

The urgency of the situation is underscored by the fact that two individuals shot two weeks ago remain in intensive care. As the community grapples with fear and uncertainty, the call for concrete action to combat crime in Diepsloot grows louder, emphasizing the need for a collaborative effort between the government and residents to restore safety and security to the troubled township.

In Diepsloot, the specter of violence continues to haunt residents as another life was claimed on Friday 26 January, marking the seventh death this year in one of the region’s most perilous townships. 

Riverside View

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