SUBURB WATCH: SUNWARD PARK: Little action is taken
Prominent concerns echoed by residents during the visit were service delivery-related issues and the deterioration of infrastructure.
The bad and the ugly
Merandie de Jager, who has been living in the area for 28 years, said the lack of maintenance at the sports ground on Kingfisher Avenue is an issue.
“The grass is overgrown and the buildings are vandalised. There is also a section near the entrance where water is pooling when it rains.
“Moreover, stormwater drains are blocked. Illegal dumping is also taking place in front of the sports grounds.”
De Jager said boundary walls on the corner of Bellatrix and Norris roads are an eyesore.
“Years ago, it was said flats were going to be developed on that land, but it never materialised, and now nobody is looking after it. Once someone burns the grass, it causes rats to enter people’s houses.”
Another concern for De Jager is the streetlights are burning 24 hours.
Ward 43 Clr Lana Marais said when she escalates the issues to the relevant people; she gets told the budget is an issue.’
She encouraged residents to become more involved in the community.
“I organise clean-up campaigns with volunteers that people can become part of.”
The prevalence of potholes along Duiker Road exemplifies the poor state of the road network.
Thandiwe Dube, a resident, expressed frustration over the persistence of this problem despite repeated reports to the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE).
“The presence of numerous sizable potholes not only poses a hazard to motorists but also endangers pedestrians who are compelled to navigate around them, often resorting to walking on the road.
“Furthermore, recurring sewer spillages have worsened health and sanitation concerns within the community,” said Thandiwe.
Zanele Dube stated a major concern in their neighbourhood was the widespread proliferation of overgrown grass and dense vegetation.
“The unchecked growth of grass is more than just an eyesore; it is a breeding ground for criminal activities.
“These abandoned green spaces not only reduce the area’s beautiful appeal but also offer hiding places for criminals. Such environmental neglect not only compromises public safety but leads to an environment conducive to criminality,” said Zanele.
Zanele emphasised the consequences of environmental neglect for the community’s overall safety and security.
“We cannot allow our neighbourhood to continue unmaintained. We need to clean up a nd take control. It will improve the appearance of our neighbourhood and assist in keeping bad guys at bay,” said Zanele.
She added a few drug addicts also roam around the area, making the place not safe.
A resident, who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons, said she suspects there is a large syndicate of corruption in the CoE’s prepaid meter section.
She says the cables in her meter box had been spliced and was bullied upon filing a complaint.
She is concerned many people may be going through similar issues where people are paying more for electricity they never used.
“Turn your electricity off to see if the meter is ticking over, and observe it for an hour or two. Also, check and keep records of your units.”
Community member Yvette Prins accompanied the Boksburg Advertiser to Trichardts Road, where the grass was overgrown.
A hawker said the traffic lights were out of service for a long time.
Many streetlights were lying on the ground because of vandalism.
There is a community project to build low-cost housing on the wetland, according to Prins, who attended a community meeting.
Potholes are rife in the community, making roads unsafe. Clogging of drains is not given much attention, said Prins.
Prins also bemoaned the condition of the sports grounds.
Pedestrian Ndivhuwo Munyai said, “The road is too narrow. There is not a walking path for us. There have been cases where trucks collide with bicycles and pedestrians here”.
The good:
Despite several hurdles, Sunward Village residents have shown great resilience and civic responsibility in maintaining cleanliness in their community.
“The community is always clean and kept neat, reflecting everyone’s effort in maintaining a pleasant environment”, said Zanele.
Prins said Sunward Park Village took it upon themselves to purchase a tractor to tackle the overgrown grass.
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In the build-up to the elections on May 29, Boksburg Advertiser will be taking a closer look at “the good, the bad and the ugly” in some of our suburbs. Tell us what’s going on in your suburb! Email boksburgadvertiser@caxton.co.za with details and photos/videos.
