Wychwood B residents voiced their concerns regarding the high number of crime incidents in their neighbourhood in recent months.
In reaction, they came together as a community and closed off some of the roads.
Residents in Poinsettia Road were informed by EMPD that these closures had to be removed regardless of their purpose.
Angela Pereira, a concerned resident, said there have been several violent crimes.
“The authorities have not done much about it. We know the gates were erected without protocol but they are there to ensure our safety,” said Pereira.
She said in March her family fell victim to robbery when they were held at gunpoint.
“We woke up with people in the house. They had pushed our car out of the driveway and we never found it,” said Pereira.
“A couple of days after we were robbed, five men jumped over the fence of our neighbour. Fortunately, they were spotted before they could do any damage,” said Pereira.
“Our security guys were quick to respond and chased them,” she said.
Pereira said since they put up the gates, crime has slowed down.
“Our children cannot play freely on these streets because cars speed and cellphones are snatched,” she said.
Rick Pillay said the area needs more patrollers regularly.
“On April 23 I survived a robbery. The guys jumped over my wall and they were caught on camera by my neighbour,” said Pillay.
“We need our sleep at night. We need our area safe again.”
The EMPD spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa said in terms of the National Road Traffic Act, no person is allowed to close the road or cause the road to be closed without prior approval of the municipality.
“The Constitution of the country prohibits any person to limit free access to other people,” said Thepa.
“The residents who closed off the road without prior approval of the municipality are in contravention of the law. They must remove all barricades that prevent free movement of people,” said Thepa.
She said residents must first apply with the Roads and Storm Water Department to have certain roads closed.
“Internal processes will take place where different departments will provide comments and the residents will be informed of what action is expected from them.
“Once all positive comments are received, the application will be approved with certain conditions. The residents will have to comply with such conditions,” said Thepa.
The Primrose SAPS acknowledged concerns raised by residents of Wychwood.
Sergeant Styles Maome, Primrose SAPS corporate communications, said police officers and members of Crime Prevention Youth Desk continued their crime prevention awareness campaign at Primrose Hill and surrounding areas on May 19.
“The awareness was in form of door to door where we distributed safety tips pamphlets because house break-in calls are on the rise at Wychwood and Primrose Hill,” said Maome.
The GCN also requested a comment from the City of Ekurhuleni by May 20 at 11h00. At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.
