NCANDU – Water cabbage, overgrowth and waste have long threatened the Ncandu River.
Although steps were taken to salvage the proud waters, the municipality has maintained silence on the way forward and future plans.
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Inquiries sent through formal channels have elicited no response.
Ward Councillor, Bertie Meiring expressed his concerns at the situation, which has resulted in the Ncandu River’s banks becoming choked with overgrowth.
He said previous attempts to cut back the bush were halted because no equipment was available.
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“The river banks must be cleaned but they don’t have steel blades – you can’t use an ordinary grass trimmer for this.”
Cllr Meiring said he followed many avenues to get reaction from the municipality, but claimed no one was interested in assisting the Paradise community.
He added his sentiment that the municipality had failed its people.
“They should prioritise money for this, and not for events like roadshows.”
The dense overgrowth along the Ncandu’s banks on Finnemore Street, coupled with vagrancy, has left some residents fearful.
However, Newcastle SAPS said no crime had been reported recently.
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“Members are conducting patrols on a daily [basis],” SAPS Corporate Communications stated in an email response this week.
With residents awaiting answers, it remains to be seen what comes of the river’s edge development promised by Director of Parks, Recreation and Cemeteries, Vish Govender.
It is also unknown why plans to reduce water cabbage growth have not come to fruition.
