Stop vandals’ destructive path

The proverbial statement, ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ seems to elude some Alexandra residents who appear to be on a mission to vandalise and destroy public infrastructure.

Their actions seem bent on making the township a place of constant dirt and filth to the displeasure of, presumably, the majority of residents. The vandals appear to be succeeding in their action of destroying beautifully manufactured bins and bollards which were installed, at taxpayers’ expense, along the roads by the city council for the residents’ benefit in litter collection, environmental awareness and education, and the beautification of the township.

The result of their action is the filth that lies scattered from overturned bins and the unsightly broken bollards. This filth attracts stray dogs and creates a breeding ground for the record-sized rats in the township that pose a health hazard to everyone.

Logic should dictate to everyone that the destruction of public assets is nothing but an affront to civil minded residents and a strain on limited resources that could be used for development initiatives in the impoverished Alex.

Many – including councillors Chris Mabunda in the article, Rat cage pilot project vandalised, week ending 14 August, Monde Mbingeleli in, Alex residents are litter bugs, week ending 16 October, and some Alexandra youth in, No one cries for Alex, week ending 31 July – have decried the level of filth, illegal dumping, vandalising of public property and the failure to effect bylaws in the area.

The onus is on all residents and councillors to rectify this situation. This should be done through ward committee meetings, residents petitioning councillors, and the urging of Metro police to effect bylaws and to prosecute offenders.