Trees offer hiding place to thugs

While trees are beneficial for shade and the environment, among other things, they also cause headaches for the residents on the eastern side of Carletonville.
According to concerned community members who regularly patrol the area, criminals are increasingly hiding behind trees to attack residents. The strip of trees between Reinecke Street and the new industrial site, commonly known as the “Bloubos”, has been a hideaway for criminals for years. Illegal mining also happens in the bush. The thugs now appear to be using other trees to their advantage.
Although this area has the highest incidence of severe crimes in Carletonville, residents are up in arms after suspected robbers murdered a respected businessman, Mr Jaco Blaauw, at his home in Kudu Street on 22 September.
“I wish they would chop the trees down so we can see and not hurt ourselves. Some of our community patrols have stopped in some areas because of this. The criminals only attack people where there are trees around. Where there is just grass, they stay away because you can see them coming,” said one of the concerned residents.
According to the resident, thugs hiding behind trees recently robbed two women. There was another nasty incident in the same area this week.
The crime happened in the early hours of Sunday, 15 October.
The owner of a house on Reinecke Street, just opposite the “Bloubos”, was asleep in his bedroom. He woke up and went to the kitchen for water. He suddenly saw two unknown men standing there. The resident turned around and ran back to his bedroom. While he was running, one thug fired a shot at him. Luckily, it missed him, and he could get back to his bedroom and lock the door. After some time, he heard that the house was quiet and investigated. He discovered that the thugs had entered through the kitchen window and stolen his television and laptop.
The Herald asked the Merafong City Local Municipality about the issue since they had promised to cut down the “Bloubos” before. The newspaper also asked whether the residents could cut down trees in public spaces if they felt they compromised their safety.
“The municipal parks and cemeteries unit, in collaboration with the environmental management unit at West Rand District Municipality, plans to clean all parks in Merafong City. The plan to clean local parks and cut the trees has commenced, and photos of our dedicated staff have been shared on social media platforms to inform the community about the work they are doing,” answered the acting municipal marketing and communications manager, Ms Nomonde Mahube.