Consent use application for gambling rights: Scrooge (18 Gleneagles Rd) Ref : 20/01/1119/2023 206 Greenside Consent Use – Place of Amusement

PLEASE SUBMIT ANY OBJECTIONS BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS JULY 18th 2023 – – details of how to do so are listed below

An application has been made for consent use for a Place of Amusement to permit 5 limited payout machines (slot machines) at Scrooge Mama’s situated at Erf 206 Greenside – 18 Gleneagles Rd.

The GRA views this application with great alarm and asks that residents, ratepayers and business owners who share our concerns make your voices heard by emailing objections to this application to the department of development planning as a matter of urgency.

The new owner of the venue (called Scrooge Mama’s) wants to use the property as a Place of Amusement to allow for up to 5 gambling machines. Although this is not disclosed anywhere in the application, the venue has been operating these machines illegally for the past 5 years. The machines were installed after an application to the Gauteng Gambling Board for a gambling licence (in contravention of the zoning) in 2017. At this time the GRA and residents submitted objections to the GGB but the objections were never acknowledged and the licence somehow granted. Despite multiple queries, the then GRA executive and ward councillor were never able to get an answer as to how this happened.

This illegal land use has been reported to City of Johannesburg Land Use Enforcement on many occasions.

In addition this venue has been reported to authorities on numerous occasions for creating noise disturbances as a result of amplified music, DJs performing and patron behaviour. The property owner has also been made aware of complaints and non-compliance.

The property is currently zoned Business 1 – and this does not allow for any place of amusement rights.  Places of amusement include clubs, dance venues, bars, casinos and strip clubs. No property in Greenside has consent zoning for Place of Amusement. The GRA believe strongly, in line with our mandate to protect the residential nature, green and leafy character, amenity and property values of the suburb, that no business in Greenside should be granted Place of Amusement consent use. We know, given unfortunate historical experience, that should this precedent be set, we would face a deluge of similar applications. This would give businesses that operate as clubs, bars and party venues the freedom to operate in our suburb and bring with it an exacerbation of the issues that have been plaguing the business node and the neighbouring residents.

Greenside has been negatively affected for many years by illegal business activities and violations of liquor licences and land-use/ zoning and building control laws by some venues operating on Gleneagles Rd and Greenway (in the ‘business node’). These generate significant ongoing noise disturbances and health, fire and safety concerns. There has also been a steady increase in traffic problems, dangerous driving and illegal parking. The neighbourhood business node is affected negatively by the problematic behaviour of “car guards”, public drinking and intoxication, the creation of significant noise nuisances and so called “car boot “parties” as well as street fights and illicit and criminal activity.

The GRA believes that the property concerned (and the Greenside business strip as a whole) is not an appropriate place for any places of amusement due to the proximity of residential homes and the negative impact of such businesses on our suburb. Allowing consent for place of amusement perpetuates the problems experienced by inappropriately and damagingly positioning Gleneagles road as a club/ party venue in the midst of a family oriented residential suburb.

With respect to the current application :

1. The applicant claims that “no traffic or parking problems are anticipated (as) the subject property has sufficient parking bays on site to accommodate punters.” This is clearly not accurate as the crisis around inadequate parking on Gleneagles road has been recognised by the city as an issue for the suburb. We are not sure what “parking bays on site” the applicant is referring to.
2. The applicant argues that “the gambling will provide a form of entertainment and relaxation to the residents and workers in the area, as well as providing additional income for the owner” and that “it will also bring people residing (in the) area in contact with recreational opportunities and therefore fulfil the existing need for entertainment and economic stimulation”. The GRA strongly rejects the claim that gambling is a form of entertainment or relaxation that is desired by the residents of the area and do not agree that this is appropriate or desirable for our community. We would like to see the applicant provide research and evidence to back up this claim. The venue is within 500m of the Masjid-Ur-Rahmah (mosque) which is a significant religious centre for the large Muslim community of Greenside. There are also significant social, economic and psychological harms directly related to gambling and the GRA believes that any efforts to provide real recreational opportunities would best be more directly related to the community’s health, wellbeing, values and needs.
3. There is a specific concern regarding the fact the Limited Payout Machines (slot machines) are typically associated with underage gambling (see the report on the Social Impact of Gambling in South Africa issued by the National Gambling Board, 2013). We do not believe that Scrooge Mamas has adequate access control to prevent this or that the authorities have the resources or capacity to monitor and provide law enforcement in this regards.
4. the applicant states that the proposed development will not have a negative impact on the area. They state it is in the public interest as it will not inconvenience the public in any way. Again the GRA point out that the venue has already had a negative impact on and inconveniences the people living in the areas surrounding the property, the legitimate businesses in the area that are adversely impacted by illegal land uses and the suburb as a whole.

The residents and legitimate business owners in Greenside would like nothing more than to see the small neighbourhood business node along Gleneagles and Greenway thrive and prosper, and be supported by the community living around. We are invested in sustainable and appropriate economic development for the suburb as a whole. However the commercial profits of a commercial landlord and individual business owner (should not override the rights and amenity of the ordinary people who live in this residential suburb.

Finally we believe that if the city approves this application this will set an extremely dangerous precedent for our suburb.

We ask that you read through the application (you can download it here) and if you support the GRA in submitting an objection please do so in writing and giving reasons you believe are important by emailing :

ObjectionsPlanning@joburg.org.za

And cc to the applicant’s agent : siphiwe@hotslots.biz

And please also cc the GRA on info@gra.org.za

Use reference : Ref : 20/01/1119/2023 206 Greenside Consent Use – Place of Amusement Erf 206 Greenside and include your contact details and any personal concerns you have.