Virginia Bush Nature Reserve needs secure fence, says residents

NORTH Durban residents have urged the eThekwini Municipality to act with urgency over the lack of security at Virginia Bush Nature Reserve.

This comes after an Effingham Heights family was held up by an armed gunman in the upper part of the reserve more than a week ago.

According to chairman of the Sector 1B of the Durban North/Umhlanga CPF and a member of the Home Hawks Neighbourhood Watch, Sean Gouws, the family was taking a leisurely walk through the reserve when they were accosted.

“The father, fearing for his family’s safety, threw the phone at the suspect in the hopes he would take the phone and run which is exactly what he did. His wife, whose phone wasn’t visible then sent out a Google location to emergency services in order for us to pinpoint where they were in the reserve. Durban North police, along with security companies and members of the watch then searched the area for several hours looking for the suspect, however, we were unsuccessful in tracking him,” Gouws said.

In other crime news: Two suspects arrested for Redhill cable theft

Resident and events organiser, Dave Ward also expressed his anger over the incident which he feels ‘could have been avoided’.

“We were told some time back that funding had been approved to erect a type of robust fencing around the sections of the reserve which could help in situations like this. Security is an issue at the reserve and if a fence line was in place, it would be a huge help to combat crime. The current fence line is porous and in some places non-existent.

“As the local community and Riverside Trails, we put so much time and effort and our own money to look after the bush and try and attract people to use the Virginia Bush for walks and runs and we are deeply disappointed that this has happened. I am livid because this incident could have been averted,” he said.    

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