Overgrown valley a security risk
Bridgevale Valley causes safety concern for residents who say it is a haven for vagrants and illegal dumping.
ANGRY residents of Durban North are calling for the authorities to cut down overgrown vegetation in the Bridgevale Valley following several break-ins and trespassing incidents in the area. Bridgevale Valley is situated on Prospect Hall Road.
They say the overgrown bush makes the area a haven for vagrants and possible criminal activity. Heidi Hill, whose house overlooks the valley, said she is concerned about her family’s safety following a traumatising break-in almost two weeks ago.
“It was during load shedding, and we have had several security breaches, but nothing to this extent. My husband and I were asleep and I got up because of the heat. I realised the power had come back on while we were asleep and put on the fans in my kids’ bedrooms and set the alarm. A minute later the alarm went off. My husband went to investigate and noticed a window to our enclosed balcony had been opened.
“As my husband stepped out onto balcony, the man lunged at him. I was screaming in terror. The man managed to escape and broke a window pane as he ran into the bushes in the valley behind the house. I’m not sure if he got onto the balcony while the electricity was out but the garden beam didn’t pick him up. My daughters and I are terrified, and every time there’s load shedding I sweat in absolute terror, thinking about what’s going to happen next,” she said.
Hill added her neighbours had also experienced incidents of trespassing, and believes criminals and vagrants are using the heavily vegetated area in the Bridgevale Valley to hide and live in.
“There are definitely people living in the bushes, because you can smell the faeces sometimes. I feel vulnerable and I’m concerned about my family’s safety. I told the parks department that I would happily contribute to fencing to keep us safe, but we’ve had no response. We pay rates for these kinds of services,” she said.
In September last year, residents who rallied in an effort to clean up Bridgevale Valley found a number of items had been dumped in the thick overgrown bush.
A makeshift knife and a decapitated monkey were also found amongst the rubble and vegetation. Some of the vegetation is over knee-height.
Ward councillor, Shaun Ryley, said the overgrown bush had gone from an eyesore to a major security risk.
“I’ve emailed the parks department with continuous requests to cut back the vegetation, especially during the summer months. What’s exacerbating the problem is the illegal dumping and the vagrants who are living in the bushes. It is definitely a security risk for the residents who share boundary walls with the valley. If the park area was maintained better I’m sure residents would use it for recreational use. But the overgrown bush needs to be cut back,” Ryley said.
A parks department official who could not be named told the Northglen News that a new project aimed at rejuvenating and revamping parks in the area had recently been launched.
“One of the projects is the Japanese Gardens, which encompasses Bridgevale Valley.
“I can’t give you a date as to when the overgrown vegetation will be cut back but I hope residents will get involved in the project,” the official said.
