No hiding place for township crooks
Criminals operating in the park, hide in the trees at night and prey on residents coming from work and rob them their valuables.
Trees provide shelter to shield us from the scorching African sun, especially during the blazing hot summer days. To many Dobsonville residents living near the Sithole Street Park, trees provide ideal cover for criminals who pounces on unsuspecting residents at night.
Criminals operating in the park, hide in the trees at night and prey on residents coming from work and rob them their valuables.
The Creative Arts Safety and Environment Institution (CASE), organised a tree-felling campaign aimed at reducing the high crime in the park. According to CASE coordinator, Eric Ndou the initiative was born because the group wanted to create visibility for residents passing through the area and those living nearby.
“Tall trees are a visual disturbance and caused feelings of vulnerability to residents, especially at night. The Sithole Street Park is a crime hot spot. Thugs climb the trees and hide in the trees before mugging passing residents.
“Creative thugs roll wire from one tree to the other, the unseen trip wire causes the victim to fall and the crooks leap before they know what’s happening,” said Ndou.
CASE financial director, Khaya Tyawa said the cutting of the trees was part of celebrating the 67 minutes for the Nelson Mandela centenary. He said they were also playing a part in eliminating hiding spots for criminals in their township.
“It feels good and humbling for one to participate in these small community initiatives. We hope more residents would join us in future when we do community development initiatives and making our neighbourhoods a safe place for all,” said Tyawa.
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