Fears among Tandy Street residents escalated last week after a yellow tarpaulin was spotted erected in dense bush on vacant land opposite the local caravan park.

The bush-covered area has long been blighted by illegal dumping of household refuse and building rubble, while a persistent sewer leak has worsened the already unsightly conditions.

Residents reported seeing several men sheltering beneath the tarpaulin. Following complaints, police and municipal officials removed the makeshift structure.

However, residents say the vagrants have simply moved deeper into the bush, which stretches behind Pro Nobis School and Dundee High School.

‘We are fed up’

Locals claim burglaries now occur at least once or twice a day.

“They stole a television, a gas bottle, money, a card machine — you name it. We are fed up,” said one homeowner, who asked not to be named.

Although incidents have been reported to the South African Police Service, residents say they have received no feedback to date.

Councillor calls for bush clearing

Ward councillor Naresh Gopie conducted an oversight visit and confirmed the removal of the plastic shelter.

“The concern is that the thick overgrowth provides an easy hideout for petty criminals,” he said. “I have requested the municipality to look at clearing the bush. It is a large project and will not happen overnight, but it will be addressed.”

Old Commando building raises concerns

Gopie and his delegation also visited the old Commando building behind the Dundee municipality, which has fallen into a state of neglect.

Previously used as a junior school, later a Commando facility, and more recently a Majuba College campus, the building has stood largely unused since the college relocated to its new premises at the entrance to town.

The delegation expressed concern that the gates were left open, with no security on site.

“The paving is overgrown with weeds, vegetation is growing on the roofs, and the entire place smells of neglect,” Gopie said.

Relocation plans on hold

Three workers overseeing a community project currently use some offices to place temporary workers within the municipality for tasks such as grass cutting and training.

They too raised concerns about the lack of security and unrestricted access to the building.

According to Gopie, the original plan was to relocate the traffic department to the site, with provincial funding applied for renovations.

“Learner licence tests could also have been conducted there, as the building has sufficient office space and is close to the main municipal offices,” he said. “However, we are still awaiting feedback from Province.”

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