Plans were in place to clear “dirty” and “worrisome” alleyways in Danville.
This follows after residents took matters into their own hands by closing down one of two “drug den” alleyways in the area.
Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the regional maintenance team would be dispatched to cut the grass of the alley soon.
Mashigo said a team from waste management would also clear the illegal dumping.
ALSO READ: Danville residents shut down ‘troublesome’ alley
He said that regarding the drug problem, it has been escalated to the Tshwane metro police for law enforcement.
“The metro police has committed to send in an undercover drug unit,” he said.
Mashigo added, however, that the permanent solution to the illegal activities taking place around that area would be to seal and close up the alley.
“The matter is escalated to our City’s planning department to look into the possibility of having the alley closed down,” he said.
Rekord previously reported that residents were up in arms over two alleyways in the area, saying that it was unhygienic and a lure for criminals, which posed a danger to others.
They said these alleyways, supposed to be used by school children for ease of way, were overgrown and a den for drug users.
“The drug users hide their needles and syringes between the plants,” resident, Lydia Kristen said.
“These alleyways are also littered with garbage and are also being used as a public toilet.
“How are learners supposed to use these alleyways if they look like this?”
Kristen said some residents, who lived next to the alleys, have started to plant some vegetation to brighten the area up.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: Illegal dumping ‘decreased’ in the west – crime activist
“However, this was all in vain, because the drug users now use the plants as a way to hide away and store their drugs,” she said.
“It is out of control and we urgently need help to make them [alleyways] safer to use.”
Another resident, Engela Viviers said they were at their “wit’s end” over the alleys.
“We have sent numerous emails to the Tshwane metro, but sadly it was all in vain.
“The ward councillor has also reported it a couple of times, but this did not help.”
Alpheis Manaka, who also lives in the area and cleans the alleyways daily, said “the situation was out of control”.
“If I clean the area today, it will look exactly as it did the very next day,” he said.
“But I keep on cleaning because it is my duty as a resident to at least try to make the area look better.”
ALSO READ: Danville residents shut down ‘troublesome’ alley
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