The rightful owners of the land are still unknown, despite the NEWS’ efforts to find out.
One Edenglen resident who enjoys walking in the area, Mr Alrino Monty, said the overgrown grass creates a breading ground for criminal activities.
Mr Monty said he sometimes fears walking in the area.
“Before, it used to be beautiful and we could walk about freely. But now anything bad can happen to people walking here,” said Mr Monty.
In July last year, a rape was reported in the area.
On Wednesday, February 25, the DA’s ward 18 councillor, Clr Heather Hart and the spokesperson for City Planning and Economic Development, wrote a petition which was to be handed in to council.
The ward 32 councillor, Clr Bongani Nkomo, was to hand the petition in.
Clr Nkomo said he has been sending emails to the office of the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Environment and Infrastructure Services, Matshidiso Mfikoe, at the City of Johannesburg about the issue, but he has received no correspondence regarding the matter.
Clr Hart said the DA believes the issue is urgent as it threatens the safety of residents.
“This place is dangerous; both the Department of Environment and City Power must ensure that the area is safe. We will not rest until this matter is resolved,” said Clr Hart.
She said the council’s oversight committee must prioritise the case.
“We have exhausted all avenues. Now the oversight committee must look into the matter urgently,” she added.
Clr Hart said if they do not find joy, they will petition the province.
Clr Nkomo said emails were also sent to City Power, but likewise, no response was received.
When contacted for comment, MMC Mfikoe’s spokesperson Anda Mbikwana said it was not the mandate of his department to deal with cutting grass.
Mbikwana refereed the NEWS to the Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo department.
Responding to the query, the spokesperson of Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo Ms Jenny Moodley said, “The responsibility lies between Eskom and the Johannesburg Property Company to
maintain the area.”
Eskom ‘s media desk acknowledged receipt of the NEWS’ inquiry and said the entity would respond.
At time time of going to print, no response had been received.
Five days after the enquiry was sent, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality had still not ascertained if the land belonged to them.
