Klipspruit residents concerned about the open velds sparking criminal activities
Klipspruit West residents are irate.
Residents in Klipspruit West are speaking out about what they call ‘gross community neglect’. Melanie Massingham, one of the residents, claims that crime in the area has increased.
“We have been feeling unsafe for too long,” said Massingham.
According to the resident, several open velds in the community have not been maintained, and as a result, long grass in the area has allowed criminals to hide from police.
“I work at a school close by, so I walk through the veld to get to work and often you see the grass rattling. Sometimes during the night you can even hear females screaming in the veld, we are no longer safe,” said Massingham.
Raymond Jacobs, another resident said that a few years ago the open velds were used as soccer fields.
“Everyone in the area refers to the open velds as ‘dips’ because of where it is situated in Klipspruit. This used to be the best place for residents to gather and enjoy afternoons of soccer matches. We have written letters to various stakeholders but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Several years later, and the problem still persists,” said Jacobs.
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Massingham, who lives directly opposite the open velds, said that the long grass is home to many rats.
“We have to keep our doors closed at all times because we fear the rats will enter our homes. The last few summer months have been unbearable because of the heat,” said Massingham.
Residents have also complained about snakes hiding in the long grass and entering their homes.
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