City cleans the spruit
FERNDALE – City officials clean sections of the spruit along Fern Avenue in Ferndale.
Officials from the City of Joburg Urban Management, City Parks and Zoo, Park Rangers, Pikitup and JMPD embarked on a massive spruit cleaning on 24 February in Ferndale.
Officials cleaned up the piles of filthy garbage dumped in the spruit along Fern Avenue and are expected to cut the overgrown grass.
Some of the vagrants who stayed in the area were advised to leave as the City collected the filthy garbage dumped in the area.
JMPD Region B ward commander Sergeant James Kekana stated, “We will continuously monitor this place on a daily basis.”
He further indicated that crime in Ferndale, especially along the spruit, was escalating. “We are not sure if it is the homeless people who stay here or if they are just being used as a scapegoat by criminals,” he said.
He indicated that vagrants were violent and did not understand the negative impact of transgressing City bylaws.
Sgt Kekana appealed to residents in the greater Randburg area to report the problems of vagrants. “Residents need to be our eyes and ears. If there is any problem with homeless people, they (residents) must contact us on our hotline number which is 011 375 5911,” he concluded.
Resident George Veltchev explained that the problem of vagrants dramatically drops the value of property. “We simply cannot walk anymore in the area. We are confronted in a bad way by homeless people,” he said.
He further indicated that City Parks should clean the area regularly. “I am happy with the JMPD commander, Sgt Kekana. He is always here,” he continued.
He concluded that vagrants would probably leave the area if the City could monitor the spruit regularly.
Ward 104 Councillor Mike Wood said that he was very grateful that the City was cleaning the area.
Details: City of Joburg Region B Urban Management, 011 718 9688; Ward 104 Councillor Mike Wood, 082 853 2174.
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