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Municipal-owned land in Rose Terrace has become a major problem for residents living in the street.
Speaking to Nargesh Ramdharee and Neresh Harilal, who live on either side of the vacant land, they say they are the hardest hit due to the overgrown vegetation.
At night, criminals are believed to hide in the overgrowth to scope out the lay of the land and make plans to break into people’s homes. The land is also thought to be a hidey hole for the items thieves have stolen.
For this reason, residents believe they have to be vigilant when night falls, for their own safety, as they cannot see what’s going on in the overgrown grass and trees.
A few years ago, a story was published in the Ladysmith Gazette that prompted the municipality to use a grader on the land and heap everything in the middle.
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Nargesh says the heap that was made in the centre of the land has caused trees to grow on top of it and make matters worse.
To add to residents’ woes, snakes, rats and insects come into their homes on a regular basis. They have to constantly call the snake removal team or rodent experts to spray their homes.
The overgrown grass has also spread onto the road, which blocks water from going into the drains.
The residents hope that the municipality hears their call for help and attends to this problem that’s right on their doorstep.
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