Residents frustrated over illegal tree felling
Three men rubbed the residents in Jukskei Park up the wrong way when they came with a chainsaw to illegally cut trees in the area.
Desigan Naidoo was shocked and alarmed on June 16, when he witnessed a group of individuals cutting down trees opposite King’s College Preparatory School in Jukskei Park.
He noticed that they had been carrying out this activity for several days and was concerned about whether this destruction of trees had been approved by the local community.
Read more: Zany Zoo at Broadacres Academy
Another concerned resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, revealed it was a group of three individuals who brazenly and without authorisation from Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ), cut down the trees for firewood.
He said what’s even more upsetting is that they allegedly vandalised a resident’s electric fence, causing damage and disruption, and left behind a trail of debris, leaving a massive clean-up effort for his maintenance crew on June 19.
Also read: Sunninghill adopts park from City Parks
“We went down and stopped their operation by confiscating their chainsaw and all the harvested wood. The chainsaw was returned today [June 19] after they had repaired the electric fence they damaged.”
When asked how it affects the community, he said, “These guys have no consideration for the noise they make both with the chainsaw and the constant banging of an axe.
“They leave the area in a mess with litter wood chips and bark, as well as smaller branches that have no value. The trees provide perching and landing sites and were not cut down for this reason, until the smaller trees had grown.”
He added that felling requires permission from City Parks. He said he informed the authorities from Joburg City Parks to stop them.
City Parks spokesperson Noleen Mattera said they are cracking down on illegal tree-felling with tougher by-laws, fines, and penalties. Working with enforcement agencies and courts, she said the city aims to protect its tree canopy, particularly during high-risk winter and autumn months.
“Street trees are the property of the City of Johannesburg and are protected by strict street tree by-laws which prohibit the removal or disturbance of trees. In all instances, residents and businesses must reach out to Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo for assistance.
“The by-laws state that ‘no person may damage any tree on any public road within the municipal area of the council and that, only JCPZ is authorised to remove, maintain and prune street trees.
“Residents are warned that punitive measures will be applied for the removal of street trees. Fines are determined by the size, species, age, location, health, and heritage value of the tree. These fines can vary from a few thousand rand to up to R327 000 per tree based on the new measures to stem the illegal felling of trees.
“Johannesburg remains one of the most densely populated cities globally, with high levels of urbanisation, and therefore the critical presence of trees, act as natural air filters, and ensure that the health of residents is bolstered, is vital.”
Related article: Report fallen trees to City Parks
