‘We need a safety wall’

POLOKWANE – WORRIED residents of Southern Gateway near Westenburg in Polokwane have expressed their disappointment in being misled to believe that a security wall would be erected along a railway line in the area to ensure their safety.

According to residents, they were misled by RBA Homes to understand that the area would be a gated community and that there would be a security wall between Southern Gateway and the railway line.

They said they also blamed the Polokwane Municipality and Transnet. They said the area had long been reported to be a hub for criminals who used the veld around the railway line as a hideaway.

At a recent meeting of the Southern Gateway committee, homeowner and committee chairperson, Desney Sambo, said when he bought the house three years ago, he was told that a wall would be built, as he was concerned about safety.

“All the owners here were told this area would be a gated community and secured. My house is just next to the railway line and at first I didn’t have a problem, as I knew when the wall was built, my children would be protected. But after three years, I still fear for their lives and those of our neighbours, as many of the children living here use the railway line as a playground. It is part of their backyards,” Sambo said.

Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said his sister had to be rushed to the hospital after witnessing a robbery that took place in their home over the past weekend.

“We saw the perpetrators and they disappeared into the bushes next to the railway line. If I had known the developer would put my family at risk, I would never have bought this house.”

Polokwane municipal spokesperson, Tidimalo Chuene, said the developer was responsible for erecting a wall. She said people should take note that this area was an open township and not a gated community.

Transnet senior manager for external communications, Mike Asefovitz, acknowledged that Transnet was required to have a fence along the railway line and that it was agreed previously that material for a standard fence, a 1,3 m fence with six lines of barbed wire, would be supplied, but no feedback was received from RBA Homes or the residents.

RBA Homes CEO, Aidan-John Rothman, said the conditions of establishment for Southern Gateway did not include the building of a security wall. He dismissed the claims that the area had been marketed as a secure estate or gated community.

“We are of the view that Transnet will address this matter and we offer our assistance, but not at our cost, through the security company that we will employ on site while the fence is being erected,” he said.

Westenburg police spokesperson, Capt Mohlaka Mashiane confirmed that a case of robbery was opened over the past weekend and that no one had been arrested as yet. Anyone with information can contact the Westenburg police station.