Grass cut and burned
The grass was finally cut in Regents Park by City Parks, but according to a resident in the area it was then burned.
REGENTS PARK – “I am furious about what happened,” said the resident. “The long grass at the veld on the corner of North and Clarence roads, as well as on the corner of the road where Animal Anti Cruelty is, were cut on Saturday January 25.”
“But the guy who cut the grass was too lazy to rake the grass so he set it alight. My husband saw all the smoke and went outside to check, but the guy who cut the grass had already left. At first we thought it would burn out, but it was causing so much smoke, that my husband and another neighbour went out to extinguish the fire. We had to pull our hosepipe to the veld and use buckets and buckets of water to quench the fire. If they did not kill that fire, who knows how far it would have spread, as it is right next to a house and joined the front lawn. “
“Another resident was driving by and stopped to assist us. This is unacceptable. We have been waiting for almost two months for the grass to be cut as it was so long that when you pulled out of the street (Clarence Road), you could not see any oncoming traffic.“
“And when it was cut, the whole neighbourhood was filled with smoke. Such acts are really unacceptable and dangerous as it is a residential area after all and also with many children around.”
City Parks response are as follows:
“The practice of burning grass is considered as unacceptable and could result in Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo employees being disciplined for non-compliance.
“In this instance the supervisor, as evident in the images, also attempted to assist residents in putting out the fire which was started by a member of the community.
“We appeal to residents to please refrain from setting fires, lopping street trees or interfering with the work schedules of City Parks. This may result in injuries or runaway fires due to the necessary control systems not being in place. Concerns can be directed to the Joburg Connect Call Centre on 011 375 5555 or Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo’s Client Centre on 011 712-6600.”
