Marian Hurly, Northmead Extension Four, writes:
I live in Oak Street, Northmead Ext Four, which is the main road through the suburb and has many pedestrians.
There seems to be a growing problem with bees on public pavements and in municipal parks.
I have a huge problem trying to mow the grass on my pavement (which should be kept tidy by the municipality) as bees have settled in one of the trees and attack anything that moves along the street.
Pedestrians have to go to the other side to avoid being stung and I can foresee that one of these days someone will die or become very ill as a result of the bees.
Will the municipality foot the bill?
We are not allowed to trim the trees as they are municipal property.
In addition, many street light poles have missing covers which provide bees with lovely spaces to settle.
One of my dogs was badly stung as we walked past a street light pole, quite unaware of the danger.
I have tried to find out where one can go to remove the bees and have been told that it is my problem and I will have to pay someone to remove them.
This cost varies between R800 and R1 000.
When Benoni was still Benoni, the municipality saw to any such problems.
Rats were controlled, pavements and parks were kept clean and tidy and the roads were maintained… the list is endless.
The municipal offices are also a disgrace and I am ashamed to travel through the town with the filth and garbage all around.
With so much unemployment there is enough labour available to get the town to how it once was not so long ago.
Can anyone help me, perhaps our councillor? We only hear from him when it is time for elections!
Editor’s note: The City Times advised the writer to report the problems to the Ekurhuleni metro call centre on 0860 543 000 and obtain a reference number, and to contact the ward councillor for Northmead, Jacques Meiring, on 079 214 7902. The City Times has also escalated the writer’s concerns to the metro for comment.
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