The Ekurhuleni metro sent the city’s by-laws pertaining to the removal and pruning of trees to the City Times.
This came after Glynis Holdsworth, treasurer of the Lake West Residents Association (LWRA) and Jane Trembath, chairperson of Korsman Conservancy, voiced their concern over trees being cut down in Kilfenora Street, Kilfenora.
Holdsworth was especially concerned about the environmental and aesthetic impact of removing trees in the suburb.
“People move here particularly as it is so beautiful and peaceful,” she said.
“We strongly condemn this wanton destruction of our suburb.”
Clr Mary Goby (Ward 28) met up with the women to discuss steps forward, in order to prevent the illegal cutting of trees in the future.
According to her the suspected tree feller did not receive permission from the metro, a statement corroborated by the metro’s comment: “The Tipuana trees in Kilfenora Street were not cut by the EMM (Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality).”
Trembath, who recently followed a course covering alien trees in South Africa, said sometimes trees have to be cut down.
She said the trees removed on Kilfenora Street, however, were not classified as invasive enough to be removed.
In their comment, the metro specified the reasons for removing trees on municipal grounds, which may only be done by the metro:
• Dead or dying;
• Diseased beyond recovery;
• Causes a traffic hazard where pruning would not alleviate the problem;
• Causes an electrical hazard, or causes non-compliance with the relevant sections of the Occupational Health and Safety Act;
• Causes damage to water or sewer pipes;
• A proclaimed noxious weed or invader plant, and;
• Where the roots have developed extensively such that they cause structural damage to the road, may at the request of the roads, transport and civil works department be removed and replaced at the cost of the metro.
“Contravention of the by-laws constitutes an offence and is punishable by a fine,” said Themba Gadebe, metro spokesperson.
“Anyone accidentally or wilfully removing a tree/s on metro property will be charged the value of the tree/s as approved [by the metro].
“Any other contravention of the by-laws is punishable by a fine of up to R2 000 or a maximum sentence of six months imprisonment or both.”
The metro was asked for further clarification of the penalties pertaining to the city’s by-laws, but no response had been received at the time of publication.
The process for requesting pavement trees to be trimmed can be done telephonically through the municipal call centre on 086 054 3000 or through Parks Depot in Benoni on 011 999 6881.
A request can also be made by visiting the Metro Parks Depot at 6 Golden Drive, Morehill.
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