THERE has been no let up in the number of intrusions by criminals who are persistently trying to get into an uMhlanga complex.
In December last year, Umhlanga Manors’ residents said they were terrified and under siege by criminals. That trend, however, has not subsided with criminals using the fence bordering the M4 to gain access to the Ridgeside development and then the Manors, which is surrounded by sugar cane fields.
According to local councillor, Heinz de Boer, and the Durban North/uMhlanga Community Policing Forum, criminals are using the sugar cane fields surrounding the complex to hide in and as an access route to the houses that border the field.
The fields are under the management of Tongaat Hulett and are part of the Ridgeside development.
Ridgeside is a four-phased development consisting of 140 hectares of land within a rough triangle created by Umhlanga Rocks Drive, the M4 and the M41.
One resident, who did not want to be named, said residents are still living in constant fear, especially those bordering the Ridgeside complex.
“The issue is there seems to be a battle between Tongaat Hulett and the provincial department of transport as to who owns the land, which is within the green fence that runs along the M4, and thus who is responsible.
“The fence is in an inadequate state; criminals are getting through it far too easily. All of this activity has been reported to Tongaat Hulett but we seldom receive any replies or assurances that concrete action is taking place. I feel that the property should be properly secured,” he said.
The terrified residents’ thoughts were echoed by ward councillor, Heinz de Boer, who said more needed to be done to secure the fence line.
“The fact of the matter is that the lower end of the Ridgeside development, despite the green fence, is constantly being invaded by criminals and vagrants. We cannot wait for Tongaat to reach its various development triggers before something more is done to secure that property. The residents are not getting support from a major role-player. There’s an obligation by the company to look after the residents,” de Boer said.
Michelle Jean-Louis, communications executive for the company, said they were aware of the increased levels of crime at the Manors but insisted Tongaat Hulett was looking into repairing the fence.
“The company has been corresponding with various parties in this regard. Tongaat Hulett is continuing to clear the Ridgeside boundary adjoining the Manors. As previously communicated, the Ridgeside Forest was fenced along the M4 on the east side as well as along the west side, and the forest is patrolled for the removal vagrants or illegal occupants every two weeks. This fence line is also kept clear of vegetation.
“The Ridgeside Management Association has been repairing the fence but breaches and damage to the fence are an ongoing problem,” Jean-Louis said.
