As with criminality, unmanaged overgrowth of weeds and thicket can develop into a tough task to tackle.
Saddened by the decay of their local train station and frustrated at the increase in crime, Horizon View residents are doing what they can to put pressure on authorities. Provincial managers at Passenger Rail Association of South Africa (PRASA) met with concerned residents at what is left of the Horison train station, 15 May.
Also read: Ravaged railways approaching point of no return
Kagiso Moleme, PRASA Head of Stakeholder Relations, and Goodman Matampi, PRASA Regional Manager, took time out of their Saturday to address questions and alleviate fears about the seemingly forgotten infrastructure. Since commuter trains ceased operations last March, the buildings and platforms have been stripped of anything of value, leaving brick skeletons as the only reminder of a once bustling network.
Adding to the eyesore is the vegetation that has grown now well over waist height, lining the tracks, bridges and pathways to and from the station. This has become an ideal hunting ground for criminals as there have been numerous muggings and incidents of theft in the immediate surroundings. Gate motors and refuse bins have become a soft target, and the overgrowth allows easy cover from searching blockwatch and security personnel, with one Help24 guard sustaining gunshot wounds, according to responder, Shaun Pretorius.
The two PRASA officials, who themselves were disappointed by the condition of the state assets, reiterated PRASA’s commitment to rectifying the situation. “We apologise on PRASA’s behalf. The various divisions met this week and a framework is being finalised. There is not much we can say to justify this but our hands are full working on a solution. We have children and we know it is about the legacy we leave,” said Goodman.
Many in attendance, such as Elizabeth Clack and Herman Theunissen, are multi-decade residents of the area and once regularly used the train as their preferred mode of transport. “It is sad that my kids have never been on a train in this country. We don’t want it cleaned up once and forgotten about,” said Herman.
A resolution to increase collaboration with the Community Policing Forum, who was represented on the day by James Clarke, was agreed upon as was a two-week timeframe to arrange vegetation control and tree-felling. A similar meeting that yielded few results was held in Florida at the beginning on March, and sentiment was summed up by Herman, saying, “The proof is in the pudding”.
