ILLEGAL dumping, general littering and overgrown sections along Percy Osborn Road and surrounds have become an eyesore and a social problem that ward councillor, Ernest Smith is currently tackling.
Smith said the state of the roads were shocking and that he had contacted various municipal departments calling for action.
“I have asked DSW, Parks and Roads to intervene urgently as this area and surrounding roads are being degraded,” he said.
Commenting on the filth in ‘Devil’s Dip’ in Percy Osborn Road and surrounding roads, Woodford Lane, Ford Grove, and Dulwich Road, Smith said the condition was largely due to service delivery issues.
“Parks did do a major clean-up recently at my request, and DSW started in the road reserve over the past two weeks, but the problem persists, the area is a mess. Residents in Bornick Road, Kittymere and Peace Avenue have highlighted the increasing health and safety risk to the public. A vacant lot in Ford Grove is a breeding ground for vagrancy, rodents and could deteriorate further. I have asked for the gate to be closed and bolted, however nothing has been done. Piles of rubbish lie exposed,” he said.
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Gary Manthe from Morningside CPF said he had been fighting for years to get the Roads Department to clear bush in the area, but the problem had received not attention.
“I have spoken to the municipality but they keep passing the buck. It is an ongoing problem. Even to get grass cutting done in the area is a mission. The area, and the lanes, are filthy,” he said.
Smith said at a CPF meeting held on 12 September in the Clarence Road area, residents complained about the influx of vagrants and the increase in crime, to the point that people were fearful to leave their homes.
“At the end of the day, vagrancy, crime and grime in the Morningside area is a sign that the municipality is failing the people. Residents are fed up with non-compliance and the fact that departments are slow to react to issues. In my inaugural meeting I addressed the issue of homelessness with the municipality. They do have initiatives, so I can’t say they are not doing anything, but it is not enough to address the problem of 10 000 vagrants living in and around the metro,” he said.
