While the Gauteng Department of Education remains mum on the fate of the piece of land it owns on Kirkby Road, residents say they want to take matters into their own hands.
A home owner, who did not want to be named, said it was clear that government had no intention to act on the numerous requests by residents to clean up the land and trim the trees.
“This land has been left unkempt for over two years now and it is not only an eyesore, but it poses as a health hazard as there are rats that come from the land into our yards,” said the woman.
Another resident echoed the same sentiments, calling on local government to act on behalf of its residents.
“They put up a palisade fence some years ago with a no trespassing sign but that was it. No one came back to clean up the space, or check if the fence is still standing. Vagrants have since broken the gate and the fence is already missing bars, which were broken to allow for easy access. The vagrants make fires and chat loudly until the late hours of the night. We sometimes wonder if they are not looking into our houses and monitoring our movements to break in,” he said.
During February’s instalment of the monthly Bedfordview Community Policing Forum’s (BCPF) meeting, chairperson Mr Gavin Henry said the state of the land made it hard for law enforcement to enter. “We received complaints about robberies taking place along the road and the perpetrators run and disappear into the open area,” he said.
Ms Gift Moloto called on residents to get together and clean up the space themselves.
“This way we will catch the department’s attention. I believe the powers that be are ignoring our call to action because their lives are not directly affected by the state of the land. It has to stop,” she said.
A request for comment was sent on February 18.
At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.
