POLOKWANE – At the beginning of February 2022, Bosveld visited extension 14 with ward councillor, Monique Maartens after complaints were received regarding overgrown bushes in the area.

Concerned residents have to watch daily as their children brave the bushes, which locals say is a hideaway for criminals, on their way to school.

In some places, bushes are found of up to three meters high.

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Maartens confirmed that she handed over a letter to the acting municipal manager, at the time, Hendrik Ngoepe on January 14, 2022 to draw his attention to the problem. Kenny Mogale, a resident of the area confirmed that the matter has been reported to the Mogalakwena Municipality since 2021.

“The Mogalakwena Municipality has faced several challenges over the past few months and one of them is the heavy rains that caused the grass and bushes to grow vigorously. The municipality is in the process to find a solution and we asked the community to be patient,” was Ngoepe’s response.

Since then, the residents have anxiously waited for answers.

Now, two years after their complaints came to nothing, tragedy has struck.

Last week, a 23-year-old women was dragged into the bushes, stabbed, robbed, and raped while travelling along one of the footpaths.

The incident has left the community living in fear of crime in the area.

Maartens accompanied the victim to receive counselling and also assisted in finding a sponsor to donate a tablet to replace her stolen phone, which she relied on for her university studies.

Maartens confirmed in a statement that she has written to the Mayor, Ngoako Tauetsoala, and the acting community services manager, Refilwe Madisha, to urgently clear the thick bushes and overgrown grass along footpaths.

“The incident proves that the overgrown bushes and grass along footpaths have become hideouts for criminals, posing a safety risk for residents and learners. This has resulted in many incidents of crime in the area.”

Maartens confirmed that after following the DA’s calls for urgent intervention, the acting community services manager, and the head of technical services accompanied the DA on an oversight in extension 14.

A heavily overgrown footpath that is used by learners to travel to school was then cleared, but many other footpaths remain a danger to residents.

“The municipality needs to ensure the bushes are suitably cut back and a clear and a visible path is made available for residents. The municipality also needs to work closely with the police to ensure there is increased visibility and patrol activities in the area.”

The DA will continue to follow up on the matter and is committed to ensuring that residents have safe communities to live in, she concluded.