#Elections2024: Drugs, overcrowding plague Boksburg North

The bad and the ugly
Charne Skylar (20) of Fifth Street said while she loves her neighbourhood, which boasts leafy streets and where residents work together to keep their streets clean, it’s always been difficult growing up in an environment that is besieged by dangerous drugs.

She said it unabatedly continues to destroy families and tear communities apart.

She described drug abuse among residents as the root of all evils in the area, from destroying people’s health and livelihoods to fueling criminal activities.

“We have a serious problem with opportunistic and property-related crimes, where thieves break into people’s homes and cars to steal valuable things like electrical appliances, jewellery, cash and vehicles. I believe that the perpetrators are locals who are looking for anything that they can exchange for money to maintain their drug habit.”

A resident, who asked not to be named, said drug dealers are so brazen that they have at least one person on almost every street corner to sell drugs in full view of residents.
“They are not scared of anyone; even the police have failed to deal with the situation. Or, maybe they are working with them.”

Gideon van Zyl echoed Skylar’s sentiments about the drug situation, but he praised local security companies for being hands-on when residents call them for help.
When asked if he still has confidence in the police to deal with the problem, Van Zyl said: “Yes, but this will only happen if they do their job.”

Almost all residents who spoke to the Boksburg Advertiser told us they believe criminals, including drug traders, thrive in this area because of poor policing, corruption among officials and unemployment among the youth.

Trees
Lydia du Preez said she is dissatisfied with the lack of tree pruning in Boksburg North, which has resulted in many branches becoming unsafe. The recent windy and rainy conditions led to several trees toppling over.

Du Preez said she has been pleading with council for two years to prune trees and cut those that appear to be on the verge of collapse but her pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
“The trees in Boksburg North have become a safety hazard. I don’t have insurance and if a tree falls and damages our property I will not be able to fix anything.
“Some of the tree roots are also causing cracks in the ground. When big trucks drive along the area they smash the low-hanging branches.”

Hans Smith (87), who has been living in the area for the past three decades, said despite all the aforementioned problems, he still loves and enjoys his neighbourhood.

Overcrowding
According to Pastor Rodney Spray of the Pinkster Kerk, Boksburg North has turned into a place plagued by drugs, prostitution and crime, earning it the nickname “little Zimbabwe.”

Pastor Spray laments that the once-good suburb has become a hub of illegal activities.
“Boksburg North used to be a good place, but now everything wrong is found here – from prostitution and drugs to car theft and burglary. It’s unsafe,” he said.
“Criminals once targeted the church, breaking in and stealing expensive equipment, like a keyboard and mixer,” said Pastor Spray.

The pastor also touched on the issue of overcrowding, mentioning that many houses are occupied by over eight families many of whom are foreign nationals.
“Many of them are trying to make a living in a bad way. They sell drugs and are pimps for prostitution in the Boksburg North Hotel,” he said.

The drug problem is also rampant, with Spray expressing his desire to help the addicts but lacking the proper facilities within the church.
He also criticised the slow response time of the Boksburg North SAPS, saying, “The police don’t do their jobs. There was a time when I wanted to report a case and I found a police officer sleeping while his firearm was unattended.”

Marisa Roets, who has lived in the area for decades, said drug abuse is one of the biggest issues in Boksburg North.
“We have found needles in the veld near my house in Fourth Street,” she said, adding that an open manhole in the same veld causes sewage water to run down the road.

“This has been going on for about two years. It has been reported to the metro, but nobody has come to repair it. The stench is terrible and I believe it’s a health risk,” said Roets.
Roets told the Advertiser that overcrowding is a major problem. “In some cases the are 30 people living in rented rooms,” said Roets.

She is also concerned about the increase in burglaries in Boksburg North.
“A few months ago they took my gate off its track and stole my gas bottle that was outside,” she said.

Another resident Dorné Britz bemoaned the vandalism of street lights and road signs.
“Street lights that are not working pose a danger and contribute to crime. Some of the streetlight poles are open, which can lead to people, especially children, electrocuting themselves.”

On the upside, he loves the suburb because it is within walking distance to shops.

SAPS
Boksburg North SAPS station commander Colonel Mack Mngomezulu said the police are conducting weekly operations to curb crime.
“We have removed several narcotics off the street. However, there is a demand for drugs.

“Another issue we are dealing with is informal businesses on streets such as Cason Road and First Street. The metro should look into the by-laws regarding these businesses, and we will assist them in implementing it.”

The good
Despite the grim situation, Spray has taken it upon himself to address the issue of unmaintained grass, especially around the Boksburg North Swimming Pool.

“We have reported the issue to the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE), and nothing has been done about it. So, therefore, I initiated hiring people to cut the grass and keep the grass maintained so that my congregants and people of the Boksburg North can feel safe.

“I believe if I had not started the initiative, the grass would have been overgrown,” said Spray.

Beric Tempest, the owner of Fly Inn and Functions Incorporated and a resident of Boksburg North, has also embarked on a mission to enhance the area’s aesthetics
Tempest has taken it upon himself to beautify the area after becoming dissatisfied with its current state.

“Since Boksburg North has turned into an area that we are not proud of, I have started to beautify the area.

“I want to be proud of the place where I stay and work, which is why I have started to uplift it,” said Tempest.

Tempest and his team have been actively picking up litter and cutting the grass around the neighbourhood, taking matters into their own hands.

“We have spoken to CoE about the unmaintained grass, and they have not done anything about it,
“We are also working on renovating several entrepreneurial businesses,” said Tempest.

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