Strubens Valley residents use front-end loader to flatten problematic stretch of field
Residents and private security companies have identified the field as being a hideout and thoroughfare for criminal elements.
An angry community brought in heavy machinery to deal with a persistent danger.
A field identified by residents as a source of criminality plaguing their suburb received an impromptu makeover. A man who was recently a victim of crime in Witwatersrand Avenue rallied his neighbours and arranged a front-end loader that worked like a mule on September 9. The front-end loader flattened the trees and overgrown bushes and removed the belongings of rough sleepers while fires set fire to large swathes of grass.
Strubens Valley and Little Falls residents have reported numerous instances of crime, especially burglaries and dog poisonings. As well as the greenbelt crossing Witwatersrand Avenue, suspects are often traced back to the field. The strip of land concerned runs along Christiaan de Wet Road, from the greenbelt that leads down to Witwatersrand Avenue, all the way across to the commercial properties across from Clearwater Mall.
In one example of what residents face, the Greeff family had their dog poisoned before men broke into their home. The intruders were pursued with a TV being recovered on Christiaan de Wet Road.
“We can not complain if we do not do anything. This here shows that we are at least doing something,” said Nicolette Greeff, who was part of the large group of residents who contributed either their labour or financial support.
Private security companies showed their appreciation by cooking boerewors rolls while a weapons retailer gave demonstrations on a variety of non-lethal self-defence weaponry. The long-term plan is to further improve visibility by adding solar-powered lighting and cameras linked to private security companies. Refusing to stand by helplessly, these residents have drawn trenches in the sand and will not allow their fortunes to be bulldozed aside.
