Unsafe environment near taxi rank
Residents of Potchefstroom's River Walk area are concerned about hazardous conditions, including unsafe walking paths, illegal activities, and unsanitary environments.
The area around River Walk in Potchefstroom has become a source of concern for residents, with reports of hazardous conditions that are affecting both the health and safety of pedestrians. The once peaceful vicinity is now littered, with waste, walking conditions are unsafe, and there are illegal activities such as drug dealing.
Sharon Kolilwe, a local pedestrian, shared her frustration with the Herald: “I always have to carry two types of clothes when I’m on my way to work. The taxi drops me off in town from Promosa, and sometimes I have to change at work because of the amount of garbage and rubbish lying around in the streets.” Kolilwe added that the unsanitary conditions have affected her health: “It’s not just the smell, but the dirt is everywhere, and it’s hard to breathe sometimes. It’s affecting my respiratory health.” Another local pedestrian, Livinia Du Plessis noted that the environment has made it easy for alleged drug dealers to operate without fear of being noticed. “It’s so easy for them to do their business here because no one seems to care about what’s happening.”
Du Plessis also pointed out that the area becomes especially dangerous when it rains: “When it rains the streets get slippery and it’s unsafe to walk here. You never know who or what you might encounter.” The area also has a high concentration of taverns and small storage facilities, contributing to the poor state of the environment. The Herald’s journalist counted six taverns and eight small storage facilities in the vicinity. During a visit to the storage facilities, it was observed that these facilities, which store food products and alcohol, are not disposing of their waste properly.
Employees from two of the facilities, who asked to remain anonymous, revealed that the rubbish from their premises is not being disposed of in designated areas, but rather left to spread into the streets. “The rubbish ends up everywhere. It’s not only unsightly, but it also creates health risks for pedestrians and drivers,” said one anonymous employee. The Herald also visited the area at night on November 25 and discovered 15 hotspots where homeless people were sleeping. These locations were near taverns, where pedestrians leaving the establishments are forced to walk home. Kolilwe expressed her concerns: “It’s dangerous. People leaving the taverns late at night have to walk past areas where there are people sleeping on the streets. It’s not a safe place to be.” Despite numerous attempts to get a statement from the municipality about the safety and cleanliness of the area, no response was received at the time of publication.
