Residents tired of criminals that hide in Vlakfontein bushes
Thugs who were hiding in the Vlakfontein bushes targeting residents of John Dube have nowhere to hide. Residents cleaned the long grass.
Duduza – Speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Ntombi Mekgwe says criminals don’t have the right to make residents live in fear.
She was speaking during the clean-up campaign along the Vlakfontein road between Duduza and John Dube.
Residents of Duduza joined the forces with the police and private companies in the area to clean up the long grass.
The area is notoriously known for criminals hiding in the long grass and targeting residents who use the bushes as a shortcut.
Mekgwe says as residents of Duduza they are tired of the criminals taking ownership of the streets.
“We will not be held hostage by the criminals who prey on those who they deem weak especially women.
“We are saying enough is enough, women are raped and found killed,” she says.
Mekgwe says John Dube is a new area and most of the residents are used to accessing services in Duduza.
“This is still their home and they will not fear to visit their loved ones because of the perpetrators.
“The children of John Dube access their education in this area and they are targeted by the criminals too.
“We are saying not in our name, we are cleaning this area united and those who are found breaking the law will be dealt thoroughly by the law,” she says.
Duduza Police spokesman Sargent Harry Manaka says they have been receiving complaints from residents who have fallen victims to crimes.
“This week a decomposed body was found in the bushes, stolen goods were found hidden and women are targeted and raped.
“We decided to join hands with the community to clean up the bushes to make it more visible,” he says.
