Trees cut down illegally in park
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality is disappointed that an irresponsible member of the community can butcher trees in this barbaric manner.
No person may prune or remove a tree planted on municipal land without prior authority. In the event of a person or persons being found guilty of such an act, the municipality may impose the necessary fines as a result of the contravention.
Two weeks ago, business owners, motorists and the public who enjoy the shaded park along Colley Street and the R102 in Port Shepstone were stunned after they witnessed the beautiful ficus trees being cut down.
It is believed the trees were cut down the day before the elections. Vela Mnguni said on most days he spends his lunch breaks in this shaded area. “I don’t understand why someone cut down these beautiful trees. There are many people who sit here during their breaks and just watch the traffic go by,” he said.
A concerned businesswoman approached the tree cutter, who said he was only trimming them. “I asked him does it look like you are trimming or cutting the entire tree down? He looked at me and left. I never saw him again,” she said.
The spokesperson for Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, Simon April, said it is shocking and very disappointing that an irresponsible member of the community can butcher trees in this barbaric manner when the world is suffering from disaster after disaster due to climate change.
“These trees provide shade to members of the public and beautifies this very popular park. It must be mentioned that the municipality didn’t sanction the brutal chopping of these trees, and it is alleged that this action was conducted at night for the purpose not known to the municipality.”
He added that all cuttings, logs and branches were taken to the Oatlands site on Monday last week.
Anyone with any information on the tree cutter is urged to contact the police or the municipality.
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