Community volunteers say repeated vandalism, illegal fires, and the recurring presence of displaced persons are undermining their ongoing efforts to maintain and beautify the Hammerkop Dam and green strip areas.

Nicolene Vere-Russell of the Groenstrook Gabbas, a volunteer group that maintains the park, said the green strip is intended to be a safe and welcoming space for walkers, joggers, cyclists, dog owners, families and learners from nearby schools.

“It is a project driven by a handful of dedicated people, appreciated by many and enjoyed by even more, but it is constantly being abused and damaged,” said Vere-Russell.

According to Vere-Russell, the issue has been reported repeatedly to law enforcement authorities and political leaders.

“StratconRisk usually responds and removes the people from the area, but they keep returning, and the situation becomes worse each time,” she said.

Vere-Russell further alleged that a man living near the Cosmos Tunnel in Coen Brits Street, close to the Rondekerk parking area, has intimidated her while she carries out maintenance work.

“He keeps watch and stares at me continuously. I never used to be afraid of spending time in the green strip, but that has changed drastically,” she said.

The Cosmos Tunnel was recently transformed into a colourful public art feature, with cosmos flowers painted along its walls.

Decorative picture frames were also installed at the Duckpond tunnel near Highveld Park High School, on Oliver Tambo Drive, to enhance the public space.

Vere-Russell said the man was recently seen making a fire inside the Cosmos Tunnel, while other vandals have ripped decorative frames from the wall at the Duckpond tunnel.

She further claimed that a pensioner volunteer was threatened with a knife when he and a green strip worker went to clean the Cosmos Tunnel.

Community members also alleged that the individual occupying the Cosmos Tunnel has started fires at other locations, including a fallen tree in MTB Central Park and a rubbish bin in a nearby parking area.

Residents further claim that the individual has been sleeping in the children’s play area and has, on occasion, been seen bathing naked in the dam.

The allegations are particularly concerning to residents because schoolchildren and the public regularly use these green strips for walking, cycling, running and other recreational activities, raising concerns about public safety and the preservation of a community space maintained through volunteer efforts.

Vere-Russell also voiced safety concerns, claiming the continued presence of displaced persons in the area may provide opportunities for criminal activities.

Community volunteers hope for a long-term solution that addresses both residents’ safety and the social needs of displaced persons.

Vere-Russell mentioned that the Groenstrook Gabbas have received assistance with clean-ups near the Duckpond by AfriForum; however, these clean-ups are in vain, as vagrants just keep returning and make an even bigger mess.

Secunda AfriForum branch chairperson Jan du Plessis said the recurring presence of homeless people in the town’s green strips has become a major concern for residents and community groups.

“Our biggest challenge in all our green strips is the homeless people making a mess and taking over. They are also responsible for the vandalism,” said Du Plessis.

He called on the Govan Mbeki Municipality’s (GMM) law enforcement department to increase its presence in the affected areas.

“We need GMM Law Enforcement to step in and remove them more frequently,” he said.

Du Plessis believes regular weekly patrols and enforcement would discourage displaced persons from returning to the green strips.

The Ridge Times reported in its June 12 edition on complaints about squatters erecting makeshift shelters and using stormwater drains for bathing and washing in the CBD and surrounding residential areas.

Responding to media enquiries, GMM spokesperson Donald Green said they are aware of residents’ and businesses’ concerns about displaced persons occupying public spaces in Secunda.

“Law Enforcement teams regularly conduct operations carried out with SAPS where necessary,” said Green.

He said that while law enforcement responds to illegal activity, he stressed that homelessness is a socio-economic issue linked to poverty and unemployment and cannot be resolved through removals alone.

“The municipality cannot permanently resolve vagrancy through simple relocation or mass evictions,” he said, noting that alternative accommodation must be provided in line with Constitutional Court rulings.

The municipality said it is reviewing patrol patterns, working with social development partners and engaging local stakeholders to improve long-term management of affected areas.

Residents are urged to report illegal structures or suspicious activity via the municipal call centre on 017 631 0150/5.

Also read: Secunda se Groenstrook Gabbas kikker tonnel op