Tired of beating about the bush
RESIDENTS of Sanctor in Port Elizabeth’s northern areas say they urgently need a massive bushy piece of municipal land in the area to be cleared as it has become a health and safety hazard because of criminal activities and illegal dumping.
Residents say the area, situated between Sanctor, Bethelsdorp and Bloemendal, has become a hide-out for criminals and drug users.
The criminals also prey on the school children who have no other choice but to walk through the area en route to school.
Charles Peters, whose Crinum Crescent home overlooks the land, said he had moved there 17 years ago looking for a peaceful life, but was now scared for the safety of his family.
“We are always hearing reports of people, especially schoolchildren, getting raped and robbed in the bushes, he said.
He said illegal dumping also brought flies to his home and large rats to the area.
“All we want is a safe and clean area for our children,” he said.
Another Sanctor resident, Wendel Koopman, said he was frustrated as he had reported the illegal dumping on numerous occasions, but nothing was done.
Sanctor High School principal Apollis January said he feared for the safety of his pupils and staff members, especially after one of the caretakers was robbed two weeks ago.
“A Grade 8 pupil was raped last year. She was also not the first case, but it was the first that I had to deal with. A Grade 12 pupil was also pistol-whipped and robbed recently and two pupils that were with him were also robbed of their cellphones. No one is safe here,” he said.
January said criminals and gangsters would not frequent the area if the bushes were cleared.
“The police also do not come to patrol because it is quite a vast area to cover,” January said.
Ward 35 councillor Ann du Plessis said she had reported the matter several times during the course of the last two years, but with no success.
Chris Hay, the municipality’s assistant director for parks who deals with vegetation control, said there was a huge backlog when it came to bush clearing in the metro.
“We have a budget of R1.2-million but we are responsible for bush clearing of municipal land from Van Stadens all the way to Colchester and halfway to Addo. It is a huge problem and there is not nearly enough money to deal with it.”