URBAN DECAY: Grime and crime threatens South Coast

The coast is in dire need of urban improvement.

February 12, 2024

Shona Aylward 2 minutes read

Rethman Drive has become a 'death trap' for runners, walkers and cyclists, like Tweni resident Christopher Cumming due to the overgrown grass and bush which is encroaching into the road. The tall, thick grass has hidden important signboards from motorists.

South Coast residents are worried about grime that is creeping into their suburbs and towns.
They are also experiencing crime, which is seamlessly following the grime.

Wikipedia describes ‘urban decay’ (also known as urban rot, urban death or urban blight) as the sociological process by which a previously functioning city, or part of a city, falls into disrepair and decrepitude.

Aiken Street, one of the main roads leading into Port Shepstone has not been repaired for months.

The Herald has received letters and calls of concern from ratepayers about the rapid deterioration of their suburbs.

While some may fob it off as complaints, Umtentweni cyclist Christopher Cumming said that in his 30-odd years of cycling around the coast, this is the worst condition he has seen the roads in.

“Rethman Drive has become a death trap. One has to cycle off-road as there is nowhere safe to ride on the coast. The verges and sidewalks are so overgrown that one has to run, walk, cycle or even drive into oncoming traffic,” said Cumming.

Similar problems are being faced in most of the coast’s suburbs, all of which are in desperate need of maintenance and upkeep.
As much as residents are trying to do their bit, they feel they are also paying high rates and need the municipality, or relevant government departments, to assist.

Weeds, uncut verges and litter has become a norm in and around the South Coast.

Irate resident, Maxwell Rockatansky of Marburg, said crime is rampant in his suburb and Merlwood.
“Prostitutes and drug dealers operate in broad daylight. Paras and thieves are able to have their way in the area. Yet complaints to respective departments fall on deaf ears. By-laws are broken indiscriminately and there is zero law enforcement presence in both Marburg and Merlewood to enforce said by-laws,” he said.

He said the traffic lights at Marburg Secondary and the KFC intersection often don’t work.
“The pedestrian traffic light between these two intersections has not worked for more than a year. These three points are some of the busiest in the entire South Coast, yet there is little to no law enforcement presence during peak periods to ensure traffic flows smoothly, pedestrians are safe and the rules of the road are adhered to. Why is this?” he questioned.

Sue Nagel of Ward 6, Margate said the green spaces and verges have been neglected, and are now choked by alien vegetation, which has caused untold loss of indigenous fauna and flora in the area.
“This is also becoming a threat to human life as these areas are becoming hiding places for criminal elements, who are increasingly becoming more violent. Not to mention that the residents cannot use these spaces for relaxation and community gatherings.”

She said potholes are destroying the vehicles of hardworking residents.

“Non-functioning and not enough street lights mean that residents, who walk to and from work in the dark, are in danger of attack”

“We as residents have watched the devaluation of our hard earned properties as prices fall, as a result of this blatant disregard for our citizens’ rights. The water infrastructure is almost non-existent, which urgently needs upgrading, this is also a basic human right,” said Nagel.

The broken windows theory which stems from an article written in 1982 by criminologists James Q. Wilson and George Kelling, also comes to mind.

Their theory states that signs of disorder will lead to more disorder. A building with a broken window that has been left unrepaired will give the appearance that no one cares and no one is in charge.

No response was received from Ray Nkonyeni Municipality before going to print.