From development pressures and liquor enforcement to infrastructure challenges and community safety, the Melville Residents’ Association continues working to protect and improve our neighbourhood.
The Melville Residents’ Association (MRA) held its latest community meeting on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, at 34 4th Avenue, bringing together residents, committee members and community stakeholders to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing Melville.
The meeting provided an opportunity to welcome new and returning committee volunteers, share updates across the MRA’s various portfolios, and discuss ongoing challenges relating to land use, municipal services, liquor licensing, by-law enforcement and neighbourhood maintenance.
We also welcomed representatives from Our City News, an independent investigative news initiative focused on holding the City of Johannesburg accountable and amplifying the voices of local communities.
Below is a summary of the key discussions, developments and priorities.
Welcoming Our New and Returning Committee Members
The MRA is an entirely volunteer-run organisation, governed by its constitution and committed to representing the interests of Melville residents.
We are pleased to welcome several new volunteers alongside returning committee members who continue to contribute their time, expertise and energy to our community.
Our current committee members and their respective portfolios include:
Darryl Gouws – Chairperson & Communications (Returning)
Lone Poulsen – Land Use (Returning)
Rogan Rich – Land Use (New)
Cynthia Rose – Physical Environment (Joined in 2026)
Louise Renton – Physical Environment (New)
Tony de la Motte – Liquor (Returning to the portfolio in November)
Adv. Derek Milne – Legal Support (Returning)
Nicholas McDowell – IT Support (New)
Each committee member brings valuable experience and a shared commitment to making Melville a better place to live, work and visit.
We are currently looking for a volunteer Treasurer. Following the departure of our previous Treasurer, the association needs someone with bookkeeping or financial management experience to assist with its finances.
As a voluntary organisation, the MRA relies on residents willing to contribute their time and skills. Anyone interested in assisting is encouraged to get in touch.
1. Land Use: Protecting Melville’s Residential Character
Land use remains one of the MRA’s busiest and most important portfolios, particularly as Melville faces increasing development pressure from student accommodation, unapproved building work and changes to residential properties.
Menton Road Student Accommodation Development
One of the most significant developments currently under review is the conversion of the former Media Centre office building on Menton Road, near the Richmond and Melville boundary, into private student accommodation.
The proposed development would accommodate approximately 320 students across seven storeys.
The MRA was the only party to lodge a formal objection, raising concerns about:
The additional pressure on already strained water, sewerage and electricity infrastructure.
Adequacy of parking facilities.
The proposed accommodation layout, including small individual rooms and shared communal facilities.
The broader impact of high-density development on surrounding residential areas.
Following the objection, the developer engaged with the MRA and presented measures intended to mitigate some of these concerns, including backup electricity, boreholes and water storage facilities.
However, concerns remain regarding the commencement of construction and internal alterations before the necessary municipal approvals and consent-use processes have been finalised.
The developer is working towards securing university accreditation ahead of the January student intake.
The MRA committee will now consider whether a conditional withdrawal of its objection is appropriate or whether the matter should proceed to the municipal tribunal.
Our priority is to ensure that development takes place lawfully, responsibly and with due consideration for the infrastructure and communities affected.
Illegal Building Work and Boundary Encroachments
The committee continues to receive complaints about building work undertaken without the necessary approvals, particularly where structures encroach on property boundaries.
One concerning example involves a property near 2nd Avenue and 9th Street, where a double-storey addition has reportedly been constructed directly above an existing single-skin boundary wall.
Concerns have been raised regarding structural safety, the absence of consultation with affected neighbours and the required municipal approvals.
The MRA has requested a formal site inspection involving municipal building inspectors and ward representatives.
Additional concerns regarding potentially unauthorised construction have also been raised on 6th and 7th Streets.
Residents are encouraged to report suspected illegal building activity rather than assuming that construction taking place has necessarily received municipal approval.
Proposed Demolition of Heritage Properties on Main Road
The MRA has formally objected to an application submitted to the Provincial Heritage Resources Authority Gauteng (PHRA-G) seeking permission to demolish two historic residential properties along Main Road, between Auckland Avenue and St Swithins Avenue.
The proposed redevelopment would replace these houses with a five- to six-storey student accommodation building housing approximately 140 students.
Our objection focuses on the potential loss of Melville’s architectural heritage and the significant impact that a building of this scale could have on neighbouring single- and double-storey residential properties.
While the MRA recognises the need for appropriate development and additional accommodation, we believe that development must respect the character, heritage and infrastructure limitations of the surrounding neighbourhood.
Student Communes and Supplementary Dwelling Units
The committee also discussed the growing use of supplementary dwelling unit provisions to establish what effectively become student communes.
Certain residential zoning provisions permit a primary dwelling alongside supplementary residential units. However, concerns arise when these provisions are used to create high-occupancy accommodation without obtaining the appropriate consent for commune use.
The MRA will continue monitoring these developments and engaging with the City regarding compliance with applicable land use regulations.
2. Liquor Licensing and By-Law Enforcement
The ongoing impact of liquor establishments, excessive noise and inadequate by-law enforcement remains a major concern for residents, particularly along 7th Street and Main Road.
Tony de la Motte has returned to lead the MRA’s Liquor Portfolio from November, bringing valuable experience to an increasingly complex area of community advocacy.
Liquor Licensing and Compliance
The committee discussed persistent concerns regarding the Gauteng Liquor Board’s licensing and enforcement processes.
In particular, establishments operating primarily as bars or nightclubs may hold restaurant liquor licences despite concerns about whether their operations comply with the conditions attached to those licences.
Venues discussed included Blanco, The Artisan and a recently opened hookah lounge at the former Café de la Crème premises.
Questions were raised about operating conditions, temporary permits and whether establishments are complying with their approved licensing requirements.
The MRA will continue pursuing these concerns through the relevant authorities.
The committee also highlighted difficulties arising from the lack of an appropriately certified District Liquor Officer at the local police station, which has reportedly affected routine inspections and enforcement.
Noise, Public Drinking and Street Disturbances
A recurring challenge is the fragmentation of enforcement responsibilities between different municipal departments and law enforcement agencies.
Residents should be aware that:
Environmental Health is responsible for investigating noise pollution and conducting noise measurements.
SAPS and JMPD are responsible for addressing matters such as public drinking, street disturbances, traffic obstructions and other offences falling within their respective mandates.
The Gauteng Liquor Board is responsible for liquor licensing and related compliance matters.
Adv. Derek Milne highlighted that legislation and municipal by-laws already provide mechanisms to address many of these problems.
The difficulty is often not the absence of regulations, but rather the failure to enforce them consistently.
Why Reporting Incidents Matters
Documented complaints help establish patterns of non-compliance and strengthen the association’s ability to escalate matters to senior officials.
When reporting an incident, residents should:
Contact the appropriate authority and request a reference number.
Record the date, time and details of the incident.
If a reference number is not provided, record the operator’s name and the time of the call.
Where appropriate, use reporting platforms such as the iER app.
Share supporting evidence and formal statements with the MRA where further escalation is required.
In more serious or persistent cases, sworn affidavits can assist in building a documented case for escalation to senior police officials.
A coordinated, evidence-based approach gives residents a stronger voice than isolated complaints.
3. Physical Environment: A Cleaner, Safer and Greener Melville
Cynthia Rose provided an update on the Physical Environment Portfolio, which she leads alongside new committee member Louise Renton.
The portfolio focuses on maintaining and improving Melville’s public spaces, addressing environmental concerns and encouraging greater community participation.
Illegal Dumping and Refuse Collection
Illegal dumping continues to affect streets, pavements and public spaces throughout Melville.
The problem becomes particularly severe during disruptions to Pikitup’s refuse collection services, when household waste accumulates and illegal dumping increases.
The committee also raised concerns about contractors and individuals transporting waste into Melville and disposing of it illegally.
While the MRA continues engaging with municipal authorities, residents and businesses are encouraged to take greater responsibility for the public spaces immediately surrounding their properties.
Maintaining pavements, verges and shared spaces can make a meaningful difference to the appearance, safety and overall condition of our neighbourhood.
Streetlighting and Public Safety
Non-functioning streetlights remain a significant safety concern, particularly along major pedestrian routes.
Areas highlighted include 4th Avenue, Main Road and routes used by residents and workers travelling during early mornings and evenings.
These outages increase vulnerability to crime and make already challenging pedestrian conditions more dangerous.
Streetlighting will remain an important priority in the MRA’s engagements with the City.
Community Cleanups and Neglected Properties
The committee discussed recent cleanup efforts undertaken in collaboration with community volunteers and law enforcement, including work along the pedestrian route below Melville Koppies towards Rustenburg Road and the SABC.
Concerns were also raised about neglected pavements and verges outside vacant or abandoned properties.
Poorly maintained properties can attract illegal dumping, antisocial activity and other safety concerns.
The portfolio will continue exploring practical ways to improve these areas and encourage greater resident participation.
4. Legal Support and the Melville Security Initiative
Adv. Derek Milne provided an overview of the existing financial relationship between the MRA, the Melville Security Initiative (MSI) and Beagle Watch.
Under the current arrangement discussed at the meeting, participating Beagle Watch subscribers contribute approximately R114 per month towards MSI, with R14 traditionally allocated to the MRA.
These contributions have helped support the association’s operational activities, neighbourhood improvements and legal interventions.
The committee was informed that MSI is considering changes to the existing funding arrangements.
Given the importance of predictable funding to the MRA’s continued operations, the association has requested an urgent meeting with MSI to discuss the implications and seek clarity on the way forward.
The MRA remains committed to maintaining its independence, financial sustainability and ability to represent residents effectively.
5. IT Portfolio: Improving the MRA’s Digital Infrastructure
New committee member Nicholas McDowell introduced plans to modernise the MRA’s internal systems and digital infrastructure.
The portfolio is currently in an initial assessment phase, with priorities including:
Establishing reliable systems for storing and managing association records.
Safeguarding existing historical documents and information.
Improving the MRA website and accessibility of community information.
Exploring automated reporting and more efficient administrative processes.
The intention is to establish and test improved systems before migrating existing records, ensuring that important information is preserved and remains accessible.
These improvements will help strengthen continuity between committees and make the association more efficient and transparent.
6. Guest Presentation: Our City News
The meeting concluded with a presentation from Anton and Diane, representing Our City News, an independent, non-profit digital newsroom focused on investigative and hyper-local journalism.
The initiative aims to hold the City of Johannesburg and its municipal entities accountable while providing communities with a platform to highlight service delivery failures and other matters of public interest.
Several initiatives were discussed.
Fix Your Bill
Our City News is investigating unresolved municipal billing disputes and helping bring persistent problems to the attention of senior municipal officials.
The team shared examples of how investigative reporting and direct engagement have helped achieve results, including the resolution of a prolonged electricity outage affecting an inner-city women’s refuge.
Supporting Residents’ Associations
The newsroom is interested in working with residents’ associations to amplify local concerns, report on community initiatives and encourage greater civic participation.
This presents an opportunity for Melville’s ongoing challenges to receive greater public attention.
Environmental Monitoring
Our City News is also exploring environmental monitoring initiatives in partnership with Wits University, including the installation of localised air-quality sensors.
Melville has been identified as a potential area for monitoring, which could provide valuable insight into environmental conditions in the suburb.
The MRA welcomes initiatives that promote transparency, accountability and informed community participation.
Looking Ahead: Our Priorities for Melville
The November meeting reinforced several challenges that continue to affect residents across Melville.
From unreliable municipal infrastructure and inadequate by-law enforcement to inappropriate development and deteriorating public spaces, many of these issues require sustained engagement with the City and other authorities.
The MRA’s immediate priorities include:
Responsible Development: Continuing to scrutinise land use applications, protect heritage properties and challenge unlawful building activity.
Effective By-Law Enforcement: Pursuing accountability for liquor licensing irregularities, excessive noise and public disturbances.
Infrastructure and Public Safety: Escalating concerns about streetlighting, deteriorating public spaces and municipal service delivery.
Community Participation: Encouraging residents to report problems, participate in neighbourhood initiatives and support the work of the association.
Organisational Sustainability: Strengthening the MRA’s financial position, volunteer capacity and administrative systems.
These priorities will also inform our ongoing engagements with municipal representatives and the incoming ward councillor.
Melville Needs Its Residents
One message emerged clearly from the meeting: meaningful change requires an active and engaged community.
The MRA is run entirely by volunteers who give their time to address challenges that affect all of us. While we can advocate, investigate, object, escalate and hold authorities accountable, we cannot replace the responsibilities of the City or its municipal entities.
What we can do is ensure that Melville has an organised, informed and persistent voice.
We encourage residents to attend our community meetings, report issues through the appropriate channels, support neighbourhood initiatives and consider volunteering their expertise.
Whether you have a few hours to contribute, professional skills to share or simply want to stay informed, your involvement matters.
Thank you to everyone who attended our November meeting, to our new and returning committee members, and to the residents who continue working towards a safer, cleaner and better-managed Melville.
Together, we can continue advocating for the neighbourhood we all call home.
Melville Residents’ Association (MRA)
November 2026
