Palisade complaint addressed
The resident said the fence is slowly disappearing as thugs make off with the steel to sell for scrap metal.
A COLLAPSING palisade fence in the south of Johannesburg may be the sign communities need to unite and change a culture of neglect.
Ward 54 councilor Sergio Dos Santos was speaking to the COURIER in addressing a complaint about a collapsing palisade fence on Stefanus Street in Ridgeway.
A resident, who asked not to be named, said the palisade fence on Stefanus Street has been steadily dwindling since he first reported it to his ward councilor, Dos Santos, four months ago as thieves make off with the palisades to sell for scrap metal.
Dos Santos provided several reasons as to why help may be delayed but never overlooked.
He said he had a to-do list which he was intent on completing.
Dos Santos admitted that the palisade issue was reported over four months ago, and said he had even said he would involve his father in getting the fence fixed. Unfortunately, due to health reasons, Dos Santos’ father could not assist in the time needed.
He admitted that the fence was neglected, although he added the leaning fence must have been somehow hit by a motorist.
“These issues are not easily solved overnight,” he said. He told the COURIER that he had lodged the issue with the city and the matter would be attended to, but that repairs always depended on the city’s budget.
The councillor added there were other issues aside from the palisade fence, including the people who hung around the park to drink alcohol.
“Everything is the councillor’s fault,” he said, implying that residents often put councillors at fault unfairly.
“If City Parks has a budget to cut grass, we cannot instruct them where to cut. Councillors report issues.”
He said that communities also needed to take action against thugs in their communities.
Elaborating, he said if residents saw someone stealing palisade fencing, they should report the culprits to the police as they were the law enforcement authorities and could arrest the perpetrators.
Dos Santos added that a change in culture was needed. “Residents need to work together in taking care of their communities. This would get better results as it would galvanise efforts for the better.”
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