The Ekurhuleni Metro have embarked on a venture to clean the area behind the old O’Hagans building on Zig Zag Road.
Several blue gum trees have already been cut down and more of that can be expected.
Read: Business adopt O’Hagans as part of Springs Clean Project
“The reason they were cut is because the municipality is cleaning the place and trying to eradicate any trees that are causing a nuisance in the place,” says metro spokesman Themba Gadebe.
Gadebe also states that the blue gum trees are not indigenous and are invasive to our area.
Resident Aletta Viljoen is unhappy about the undertaking, as she said the EM are destroying the habitat of several bird species.
“I hardly ever go on holiday, so this area is like an oasis to me,” Viljoen says.
Read: Old O’Hagans building may be restored
Ward councilor Shadow Shabangu says he is in favour of the initiative, as the trees also pose a safety concern.
“I do support the cutting of the trees due to criminals hiding behind them,” Shabangu says.
We will probably cut down about 20 to 30 big trees and many small ones,” says private contract worker Max Matuva.
The initiative will be implemented across Ekurhuleni in the coming weeks.
