Woodmead residents tired of waiting for JCPZ

Residents of a residential complex in Woodmead have grown frustrated with waiting for Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) to attend to a fragile tree that partially fell into the property.

A branch has broken off from the large, rotting tree outside the fence of their complex – creating a makeshift bridge into the property.

Resident Allan Furman contacted the media on March 15, after a whole month had lapsed without City Parks attending to their logged complaint.
Furman’s wife, Susan, feared the risks to the property posed by the fallen branch ‘because anybody can jump over and get into our premises’. “This was pointed out to me by ADT security when our alarm went off and they came to see why it had gone off.”

The Furman’s neighbour Perry Pei, who lives with his mother and pregnant wife, recalled how the tree splintered off into the property on February 18.

“It was a rainy Sunday and there were heavy winds. I’m not sure if this is because of the wind or ants that this tree became fragile and fell,” said Pei. “Luckily, it didn’t damage the rooftop, unfortunately, it fell into my garden. I’m just waiting for the municipality to come and remove it.”

Ward 106 councillor Chris Santana visited the residential complex on March 15 to see for himself. Santana said similar cases had become continuous issues plaguing his office.
“People log issues with City Parks to come to trim or cut trees, and I ask myself what the reasonable timeframe for City Parks is to fulfil its obligations,” Santa said.
“I’m dealing with those aspects where residents take action because JCPZ has done nothing. If you’re telling me it takes a month to cut a tree, then what is your Service Level Agreement in terms of cutting trees down when residents report them?”

JCPZ was asked for comment on March 15 but had not replied by the time of going to print.

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