Umgeni Park watch tackles ‘weak spots’
The neighbourhood watch and CPF have turned their attenion to a vacant property, which they believe criminals are using as a hidng spot and thoroughfare.
UMGENI Park residents have continued their efforts to wage war against the ‘weak areas’ within the community, which they say are facilitating the criminal activities of a suspected syndicate.
Following concerns of a spate of robberies that plagued residents along Wedgwood Crescent, Buttery Road and Spode Place since April last year, the Umgeni Park Neighbourhood Watch has turned its attention to a vacant and dilapidated property on Hillbrow Road.
Local resident, Lesley Yarde-Leavett, who is also part of the local neighbourhood watch, said the property was being used by criminals, believed to be part of a crime syndicate operating in the area, to access the back end of properties bordering the Mfulo Park.
“It has become a den of inequity. It is extremely overgrown, providing the perfect cover for hideouts and also serves as a spot to monitor the area,” she said.
The brave resident said she had ventured into the vegetation and had seen pathways within the bush, which confirmed suspicions that the property was being used as a thoroughfare.
What’s more, she said she had met with a representative of the parks department in August last year who not only promised her that they would determine who owns the property, but also have it cleared and secured. However, nothing has come of this, she added.
“There are discrepancies as to who owns the property. In some instances I have heard that it is a municipal property but then I have also been told that someone has a private claim on the property. But these excuses are just unacceptable. Someone must take responsibility,” she said.
“We do not want to wait for something sinister to happen,” she added.
Brian Daish, the Greenwood Park CPF sector 4 chairman, echoed her sentiments saying they have had at least two murders in the area in recent years.
“I am particularly concerned about the retirement village that borders the property. It does put those elderly residents at risk. Especially considering the bush is so thick that police can’t patrol it,” he said.
In January Yarde-Leavett told the Northglen News that she believed one of the contributing factors to the unrelenting spike in crime was a hole cut along the fencing on Anthony Road. Municipal workers made the cut to access the servitude between Wedgwood Crescent and Riverside Road.
Despite dozens of community appeals, the hole was left unattended for months. However is has since been repaired. “The issue at Anthony Road was the first domino we wanted to fall. Now we have to turn our attention to the overgrown property,” she said.
