Concerns mount over vagrants encroaching Faerie Glen Nature Reserve

Residents are uneasy about the vagrants invading the eastern side of Faerie Glen Nature Reserve.

They are worried about possible ecological harm, increased crime associated with the huge increase in vagrants and potential public health issues.

Garsfontein CPF and Alpha Security Forum (AFS) have expressed concern over the rapid encroachment upon the reserve, raising fears about ecological damage, as well as damage to the reserve fence, leading to potential animal escapes and safety risks.

According to the organisations, criminals are terrorising residential areas next to the reserve and also use the vagrants’ squatter camps as a cover after committing criminal activities.

Garsfontein CPF chairperson Aris Ruyter said vagrants sleep primarily just east of the reserve in Tweefonteinspruit.

“There is no real fence as the whole green belt from the reserve runs through residential areas for the animals to roam free, and the vagrants find refuge through that side.”

Ruyter said there’s a tunnel which has a fence on the east side and alleged that vagrants damaged the fence.

“Our concern is the vagrants break the fences to the tunnels to sleep in the area, which also allows the animals to escape.”

He said red hartebeest have been escaping from the reserve through the damaged fence.

“We had to chase and capture red hartebeest three times before finding the holes in the fence.”

Ruyter said through AFS operations in the reserve, vagrants were caught stealing wood.

“This is direct damage done to the flora.

“Criminals also use the vagrants that sleep and stay there as cover. We had two suspects trying to break into a house on the other side of the mountain recently, but successfully chased them out.

“Unfortunately, the suspects could not be caught or identified, as they ran into the area occupied by the vagrants,” he said.

He claimed that a lot of illegal immigrants also hide deep in the bushes.

“TMPD, SAPS and CoT Nature Conservation have removed rubbish multiple times, but the guys keep coming back.”

Ruyter urged the community to assist with strengthening the fences and to keep closing the holes.

“It is costly and needs more hands, but together we can achieve and protect our natural biome.”

He reassured residents that discussions are currently being held for more visibility to watch all green areas throughout the Garsfontein precinct,

The metro said it proactively monitors its nature reserves daily to check for any intrusions and unlawful occupation of its properties. Patrols of the area are undertaken by staff and partnerships with communities surrounding the reserve.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said volunteer initiatives through “friends’ groups” are where communities are encouraged to be nature reserves’ eyes and ears.

Mashigo said plans and processes are in place through the city’s public amenities by-law to address the issues raised.

“The city proactively patrols the hotspots within the Faerie Glen Nature Reserve, focusing on the bridges as people use them for shelter and access water for washing the next day.”

He added that notices are displayed on the fences, informing them of the transgressions they are committing.

Mashigo said the metro is in continuous engagement with stakeholders to assist those who need shelter and has several shelters operated by stakeholders within the city.

“In this instance, most individuals are working in the construction industry within the area, and some are informal recyclers in transit and happen to find refuge in Faerie Glen Nature Reserve for the night.”

He said measures are in place to ensure the reserve is protected from intrusion.

ALSO READ: Alphen Park pipe replacement project lauded for reducing water losses

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram