Jap Gardens crime spiralling out of control
Armed muggings at Japanese Gardens now having a knock on effect on neighbouring residents.
THE crime wave that has seen a number of armed robberies at Durban North’s Japanese Gardens is now spreading and spiralling out of control. A number of residents, whose homes border the gardens, are now also falling victim to crime and constant trespassing.
Thieves and vagrants are using the damaged palisade fencing on Waterkant Road, as well as several portions of the wire fence that have been cut, which allows them easy access in and out of the gardens.
A resident, who did not want to be named, said numerous promises have been made by the municipality over the years to secure the park.
“My domestic worker, Patrick, had his room broken into. They knocked his door down and ripped off the security gate. All that was taken was food. However, a few nights later, I had an intruder try and break into my house, but fortunately my alarm went off. What amazed me was the manner in which he ‘so casually’ walked off. He jumped over my wall into the neighbours’ garden, over that wall and into the Japanese Gardens, and casually disappeared.
“We constantly read about the brazen attacks and robberies in the Japanese Gardens during the day. When is something going to be done about the security in the Japanese Gardens? I have been living in my house for almost 10 years now, and promises have been made that the security in the gardens will be stepped up and that regular patrols will be done day and night. This has not happened, and break-ins have become a common occurrence these days. Patrols in the gardens used to be in place, so why can’t they be done now?” questioned the irate resident.
Since March last year there have been 13 armed robberies (that Northglen News has reported on), with the latest incident occurring on Sunday last week (1 March).
According to Lt Raymond Deokaran, spokesman for the Durban North SAPS, two people were confronted by a man wielding a knife.
“The robber demanded their valuables and the man handed over his cellphone and wallet, which amounted to R8 000. The armed mugger then calmly walked away. The incident occurred near the bottom of the gardens. I again urge residents and visitors going to the gardens to stick to the more populated areas,” Deokaran said.
The situation in Bridgevale Valley, which lies adjacent to the gardens, is also under siege, with a number of attempted break-ins reported in the last three months.
Durban North ward councillor, Shaun Ryley, said the culture of non-responsiveness from the municipality on Japanese Gardens’ matters was disappointing. He also called the current situation unacceptable.
“The responsibility falls squarely at the feet of the Parks and Recreation Department, which must fix the fencing of the park in the affected area as well as employ security guards to be on duty. The crime within the gardens is also spilling over and affecting residents whose homes border the gardens,” Ryley said.
According to a Parks Department official, who could not be named, the department has been motivating for an additional security guard to patrol the gardens.
“We have started looking at the perimeter fence and have already made requests to our architect department to repair the areas that have been compromised, so that will happen soon,” she said.
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