Clean-up at bridge in ward 54

Pretoria’s ward 54 continued their series of clean-ups around the area this week, this time operating at the Fred Nicholson Bridge.

Vagrants are said to have turned the bridge into a makeshift informal settlement using the old furniture discarded outside by residents.

Ward councillor Elma Nel was accompanied by members of the Moot police force (Wonderboom Poort sector1), the metro’s solid waste department, and sector 1 of the CPF.

Nel said since she took over as ward councillor in November, the makeshift informal settlements have been a reoccurring theme.

Reportedly, there were approximately 20 people occupying the area under the bridge illegally and several residents from the surrounding areas complained about the situation.

“Open fires are being lit under the bridge day and night, which is a fire hazard in an area like this. There have been cable theft incidents. The smell of rubber and other things burning is affecting the residents,” said Nel.

Nel said that the illegal occupants were given a seven-day notice to vacate the area.

“We have also been informed by residents of trespassing and drug abuse incidents, and we collected evidence of all this through our clean-ups.”

Nel encouraged locals to not leave unwanted/used furniture and other items out on the streets as this “encourages illegal squatting in green areas and under bridges”.

Residents are urged to use metro dumpsites instead.

“So many residents buy new furniture and place the unused furniture in front of their homes on the street instead of driving it away to dumpsites. This causes a huge problem because the furniture is then moved to our immediate area.

“There is no excuse for this poor behaviour with more than enough dumpsites where this furniture can be dropped off,” concluded Nel.

More clean-ups are expected monthly.

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