Bedford Gardens’ Kirkby Road was the centre of attention last Tuesday for the ward 20 councillor, Clr Jill Humphreys.
According to Clr Humphreys, the vacant land owned by the Gauteng Department of Education and Posselt Park, the wetland near the Bedford Gardens Hospital, are both in dire need of attention from the powers that be.
“As far as the wetland is concerned, residents have raised concerns of illegal activities taking place there. Especially closer to the fence bordering the residential flats. There’s reportedly drug abuse as well as prostitution that goes on there. Vagrants are also living on the land which poses a security threat to those walking through the park to get to and from work,” said Clr Humphreys.
She said although she will engage with the municipality to get the park fenced off, the community also needs to get involved.
“I call on residents to stand together and demand action. There is power in a community that unites towards a common goal,” said Clr Humphreys.
She said the park could be a potential gem for the area if residents took charge.
“To this end, residents can start walking their dogs as well as bringing their children to play,” said Clr Humphreys.
Upon visiting the park, vagrants could be seen near the wetland.
In October last year, the NEWS reported that a woman was nearly raped while walking to work near the same wetland.
Clr Humphreys said in order to get answers regarding the fenced and unkempt land opposite the park, she had met with officials from the Gauteng Department of Education.
“All residents want is a safe environment to live in. This land had invader species that also need to be taken out. On top of all that, vagrants have broken the fence to gain access to the space which is even more dangerous,” said Clr Humphreys.
Ms Helen Weir, a caretaker at a nearby residential complex, said the trees interfere with the complex’s television signal.
“Something has for to be done. They need to at least trim the trees because at this level, we can hardly watch television,”she said.
Another home owner living in the same complex said he is worried that his family may be watched by vagrants.
“At times they make fires and I wonder what would happen should a wild fire start,” said the homeowner.
Clr Humphreys said she is also working at getting the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) to remove the vagrants and drug dealers.
