A despondent resident approached Helen Zille’s office regarding the vulnerability of Mersey Street.
The ever-present crime problem is a difficult one to solve considering the fact that problems are spread over two municipal wards, according to DA councillor Marian Kemp that services Ward 84.
Concerned residents have approached Kemp with their issues to date. The dilemma came to light at a recent weekend meeting between the residents, Kemp, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, Roodepoort Police and local security companies where it was found that open land behind the crescent-shaped street falls within the boundaries of Ward 127, allocated to ANC councillor Sebelo Ngcana. For years the open areas behind the houses have provided easy access and an escape route for criminals that have been targeting Mersey Street because of its vulnerability.
At the meeting organised by concerned resident Gill Stewart it was agreed upon that residents now are at the mercy of the unidentified owners of this land. It was suggested at previous meetings that a boundary wall or fence be built around the back of the crescent-shaped street to block the criminals’ favourite entry point and escape route. Willing residents have offered to contribute both money and time to erecting this fence but do not have permission yet to do so. It also has been suggested that a pathway is cleared behind the houses where the boundary wall is to be erected for police and security companies to patrol at night.
Kemp says the big problem lies in the zoning of the piece of land.
“Firstly, that piece of land is not in my ward and it is affecting my people,” Kemp said at the meeting.
“Secondly, the property concerned is zoned as agricultural according to my research, thus we cannot just put up a fence.”
Kemp attempted to make contact with the owners, believed to be Dino Properties, to set up a meeting to voice residents’ concerns on Monday following the weekend meeting.
“I wish to confirm that councillor Ngcana definitely wants to join us for the next meeting,” she said in an email addressed to one of the residents.
“Hennie van Rensburg indicated that they are not responsible for that portion of land, but has offered to assist us in trying to establish who is,” she said.
In the meantime resident Bernice Dietrich said she has had enough of Kemp’s lack of action and has turned to the office of Helen Zille to escalate their issues. She forwarded an email thread to secretary Myrtle Jonathan, stating “I see I do not get any response”.
About Kemp, she stated “service is poor and excuses are repeated”, “how long does it take to talk to someone” and “it sounds to me like I am being brushed off”.
In one of the other emails she wrote “five months have passed and nothing has been done, this is disgusting and it needs to be exposed”.
