MEREBANK residents have expressed frustration over the failure by eThekwini Municipality to maintain public parks, verges and open spaces. Overgrown grass contributes to rising crime rates, they say, as criminals use the dense vegetation to hide after committing offences.

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Exasperated residents have begun taking matters into their hands, collecting funds for the upkeep of parks and verges in response to municipal inaction.

They feel that their complaints have fallen on deaf ears. Sithembiso Ngema, the PR councillor for Merebank and the DA KZN Deputy Provincial leader, expressed that he had begun engaging with the Parks Department about the neglect, as early as November 2022, with the latest follow-up being on January 6.

Ngema emphasised that residents needed to get value for their taxes and live in a safe environment.

“The department’s lack of accountability is staggering. Workers can often be found sleeping in the very parks they are supposed to maintain, ignoring residents’ requests for assistance. The head of the department has been under suspension for almost a year, and it shows – the department is rudderless and ineffective,” he said.

He added that because of this negligence, it has led to serious implications, including an increase in crime. Households living along Punjab Circle have taken it upon themselves to maintain their verges. Pat Pather, one of the residents, said about 10 households contribute financially for the upkeep.

“Depending on the condition of the park each household contributes R200 for grass cutting and R200 for fencing, cutting, and painting around the verges,” he said.

eThekwini Municipality spokesperson Gugu Sisilana acknowledged the complaints but put the blame on the weather conditions.

“The cycle to cut grass in open spaces and parks in Merebank was concluded in December, and a new cycle began in January. Currently, verges are on the fourth cut of eight scheduled cuts for the year. However, delays have been mainly caused by the persistent rain and inclement weather. Grass cannot be cut when it is raining and as such it also grows much faster,” she said.

Sisilana added that the Parks Department was not aware of the residents’ self-funded maintenance of the open spaces. She however emphasised that grass-cutting cycles are in place. Sisilana added that residents must report inefficiency in receiving any service to the proper structures, which includes the City Integrity and Investigative Unit, which may be reached on 080 020 2020 or ombuds@durban.gov.za.

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