Komati, Blinkpan and Koornfontein should be renamed Jungle 1, 2 and 3.

The areas are so overgrown, much like the rest of Greater Middelburg, that residents say it feels that they’re living in the Serengeti.

According to the municipality, a backlog in grass cutting in the above areas is due to continued rain and contractors’ equipment breaking down.

DA councillor Stefan Smith requested a detailed update on the progress made with grass cutting and general maintenance by the municipality.

In response, the municipality said that grass-cutting tenders had been awarded during the 2023/2024 cycle, spanning a three-year time frame.

The above-mentioned areas Smith highlighted fall within contract area H.

Councillors have maps available to them, and often meetings are held to identify areas the council is responsible for.

The municipality plans to have an inspection in loco to further identify areas overseen.

In Eskom properties and mine villages, the owners are responsible for maintenance.

The municipality says the portions that the municipality is responsible for were cut during February and March.

The seasonal cycle, however, runs from November to April, with the tenders awarded late.

The municipality claims January’s cutting had been abandoned due to rain and equipment breaking down, and the contractor fell behind his contractual obligations.

A senior horticulturist apparently does weekly inspections, and contractors must also supply weekly progress reports.

Contractors are only paid for the areas they are awarded and the portions that have been cut.

Incomplete areas are deducted from contractors’ invoices, the municipality said.