Rietfontein struggle with broken wall

The boundary wall is a separation between the Eskom servitude and the Rietfontein Nature Reserve, and over the years slabs of concrete have been broken off consistently. Chairperson of the Paulshof Hill Residents Association, Lita Jacobsen said it was an ongoing problem which had plagued the community for six years.

“It is a problem for residents because criminals and vagrants go through the broken wall and make their way through the reserve gaining access to Wroxham Road,” she said.

Ward Councillor of Ward 106, Stephen Moore said, “My main concern is that there is consistent damage to the wall, which points at either poor maintenance or foul play. The wall has become a crime highway.”

In recent years the Rietfontein Nature Reserve has also been affected by the broken wall, with FreeMe Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre being robbed numerous times.

Friends of Rietfontein Nature Reserve representative, Margo Bandsa said, “In the last few years the education centre has been ransacked, all the electricity cables and plugs were stolen, the newly constructed ablution block was completely stripped of its new taps, wiring, door and window handles and locks.

“Friends of Rietfontein together with councillor Stephen Moore, City Parks, Paulshof Ratepayers and Residents Association and Paulshof Wild West Ratepayers Association are collectively looking at different prospects of dealing with the current situation.”