The interconnected nature of municipal bodies mean several functions need to be fulfilled simultaneously to achieve the desired results.
Itumeleng Seitireng is a resident of Ruth Street, a road that runs parallel to the railway line on the south side of Florida. He has lived there for almost 27 years and while he has seen much, he has not seen the complete abandonment of responsibility by authorities. Since the rail lines have ceased activity, little care has been taken of the vast vegetation that lines the now desolate tracks.
Unkept overgrowth is a minor issue when compared to what it acts as a cover for. Combine that with the aging trees that tilt ever closer in the direction of his home, and Itumeleng and his neighbours are not only fighting societal problems, but nature too. The lack of maintenance has created a canopy of cover for vagrancy, drugs and crime.
Itumeleng has approached every entity he could think of in order to resolve the issue, but has hit a dead end, saying, “We just want somebody to clear it. It is dangerous and ugly.” As the area in question falls within the railway boundaries, the responsibility lies with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) to maintain the bushes.
Community security organisation, ICE Community Policing have done their utmost to monitor the area but the task grows daily. “The vagrants are from all over. They have started to make the railway their home and because of these long bushes one cannot see what goes on behind. We have witnessed the train station become a hub to sell drugs, and also a place for addicts to hang out and do their drugs without being seen,” said ICE chairperson, Luqmaan Rahim.
“Parents within Florida and the surrounding areas should advise their kids to stay away from this particular railway sections of Florida. We have recently discovered that foreign nationals have even gone to the extent of giving out free syringes with a free hit inside it. The drug dealers sit and operate behind the bushes away from public eyes,” claimed Luqmaan.
Florida Police have been alerted to the matter and PRASA acknowledged a request for comment, yet none has been forthcoming.
