ZWELISHA – Residents in this area are complaining about thickets outside there homes. It is giving them sleepless nights as this thick bush is used by thugs as their hiding place.
Mpumalanga News visited the area last week after receiving numerous complaints regarding the bush and trees.
One of the concerned community members, Mr Zwelakhe Mabunda said,
“We are not feeling free to walk in the streets at night or even at early dawn because criminals are using nearby bushes as their hiding place. What makes things very difficult for us is, that most of the bushes that are giving us a problem, are situated on busy roads in areas where you are supposed to get transport if you want to go to the CBD.”
Another concerned community member, Ms Phumzile Mbanda added that because of the thugs who were hiding in the bush, she was unable to arrive in time for work.
“I am supposed to take the 05:00 bus to the CBD, but I can’t because my bus stop is near the bushes where people are robbed and get stabbed, so I can’t put my life at risk.
“I am forced to take the 06:00 bus. We are appealing to the Mbombela Local Municipality to send people to come and cut the trees and clean the bush before people start to lose their loved ones, she added .
This publication also learnt that not so long ago some community members in another section showed unity with the police and embarked on a bush-cleaning campaign.
They cut trees and grass at a place where by a 29-year-old woman was allegedly raped and brutally killed.
The victim, Ms Nomthandazo Jele was raped and stabbed. Her lifeless body was dumped in a hole in the nearby bush.
Meanwhile, two suspects who are connected with Jele’s death were denied bail by the KaNyamazane court.
They are expected to make their next appearance on October 1.
