Uncut grass worries BCM’s ratepayers
Hideout for criminals after robberies, they say
BUFFALO City Metro (BCM) ratepayers are questioning how the metro could increase tariffs when they are unable to deliver basic services to communities, such as fixing potholes and cutting grass where it is needed.
Most East London suburbs have been asking BCM to cut grass in their areas but, without success. The GO! visited Braelyn Hills last week and was shown a piece of land that residents claim to be a hideout for criminals, who break into houses and rob people.
Barry Francis from Braelyn Hills, said he has spent more than R20 000 in the last three months to upgrade security at his house. “We are living in terror here.
“Every single day they rob people by the bridge [in Braelyn Hills] and they run to the bushes. I have been to the environmental affairs office, BCM and to the ward councillor. We have even joked about burning the bush in this area, but we don't want to cause unnecessary fires.”
Residents in this area have cut around the edges of their properties just to keep rats and snakes out of their yards. Mervyn Bhana confirmed that robbers hid in the long uncut grass.
“Just a couple of days ago, police were chasing guys and they ran into the grass. “And in the morning, you hear the dogs barking and you also see people coming out of the bush carrying parcels. They commit a crime and come to hide their stuff here. “They wait until the coast to be clear then come back to fetch what they have stolen,” Bhana said.
Vuyo Ngqakayi from Gompo failed to understand why tariffs would increase at the end of the month when there were regular power failures. “They are not cutting the grass, fixing potholes and we have blocked drains in our area.
“What are they doing, really? There is no service delivery, except for refuse collection. In my area, we hire private companies to cut grass. We collect R50 from each person to have grass that’s supposed to be cut my BCM cut,” he said.