Vagrants: A menace to Virginia reserve

DURBAN North resident, Jason Arnold, has raised concern over the safety of not only the wildlife within the Virginia Bush Nature Reserve but also the community around the facility.

The local snake man, who often wanders into the reserve behind the Danville Sports Ground to release rescued reptiles, said he had discovered what he suspected was stolen goods within the dense vegetation.

Arnold said he has also received reports from locals that the vagrants were poaching the indigenous duiker and mongoose within the reserve. He said he has also heard the vagrants chopping down trees.

“Once I found a suitcase that seemed as if it had been rifled through. Most of the clothes were tossed out next to the suitcase. I suspect that it had been stolen and that the vagrants had taken what they wanted and simply left the rest,” he said.

On Tuesday last week when the Northglen News met with Arnold at the site, he found a dismantled ice machine that had been stripped for its parts. Several spots at the entrance of the park alone were also covered with stripped copper wiring.

“I fear that the vagrancy will increase the crime in the area as they do not have jobs, and it ultimately could lead to them jumping fences and stealing bits and pieces from the surrounding properties,” he added.

What ‘s more, he said the ‘homeless undesirables’ inhabiting the park made the once quiet, safe and scenic green belt unsafe, especially for women.

“I see many women running along the trails with their dogs. They are vulnerable running here on their own as they could be robbed, or worse, pulled into the bushes and raped,” he said.