Centurion residents unhappy with metro services or lack thereof
AfriForum was approached to help with de-bushing and cutting grass.
Issues around the installation of metro fibre, as well as cleaning of stormwater drains and curbside pavements, continue to be a concern for Centurion residents.
An upset Dennis Neal from Rooihuiskraal said how Petrel Street has been left after the metro installed fibre there, was unacceptable.
“The surface of the road was not repaired after the work was done. Neglect would only cause further damage to the road.”
Tshwane metro spokesperson, Lindela Mashigo said in respect of the metro installing fibre, cleaning of sites after work is a standard procedure.
He said if the contractor does not repair or clean a site, the metro will issue a site instruction for untidiness.
Gerhard Scheepers from Eldoraigne reported that a stormwater pipe is located right next to his property.
“The pipeline is not being kept clean which results in the flooding of my property. The border wall of my property has even fallen over in the past.
“My property borders with Ruimte Road, which is also heavily overgrown,” Scheepers said.
Another resident from Starling Avenue, Wierda Park, complained about the overgrown areas in the suburb, as well as on Ruimte Road.
“Not only does the overgrown areas look neglected and untidy, but it also creates a fire hazard that concern members of the community,” she said.
“And then there is always the crime element one has to reckon with. Overgrown vegetation obstructs one’s sight and it is a perfect hideaway for potential criminals.”
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Complaints have also been received from residents who reported that trees on municipal pavements have not been trimmed. Neither have trees been removed which have fallen over during the heavy rains the area received recently.
DA councillor of ward 69, Cindy Billson said she received complaints about the overgrown areas on the R101 Old Johannesburg Road.
She approached AfriForum to assist with de-bushing and clearing the area of overgrown vegetation and cutting grass.
“Provincial, municipal as well as privately owned land is being addressed.”
AfriForum said their assistance forms part of their ‘town cleaning projects’.
“This kind of work is done via our various branches in their communities and executed by volunteers. Usually, a week or two are spent in an area on a project.
“In Centurion, especially risky areas are addressed. Wherever a risk or a need is identified, there the project will be focused on.
“We focus on certain areas on the R101 Old Johannesburg Road at the moment where the grass is very tall and the areas are severely overgrown, especially after the heavy rains the area had been experiencing since the beginning of the year.”
The metro was still to comment at the time of going to press.
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