Kwa-Thema – Zakewu Nywanya, a resident of Thema Road in Kwa-Thema, has raised concerns about an open field located between Thema Road and Ext 6.
He expressed that the area poses serious safety risks, potentially contributing to increased crime. Nywanya also highlighted a rat infestation in the vicinity, which has become a growing health concern for residents.
He noted that the area has been neglected since the Covid-19 pandemic and has become increasingly hazardous.
“The area seems to be wet, causing rapid grass growth. Our main worry is crime and criminals hiding in the area. A body could be thrown into the field, and no one would notice until an awful smell reeks from the area,” explained Ngwenya.
He said many neighbours have also turned the open field into a dumping site, which attracts rats and creates an unbearable smell when hot. He mentioned that the increasing number of rats had caused damage to his car because they chewed the wires.
“Those who go to work in the evening or early in the morning are always confronted by danger. Many who reside behind the bush cannot access their homes from the main road and are forced to use the longer route to access their homes.
“I have reported this matter to our ward councillor many times. She came a while back to clean the area, but heaps of grass and soil were left there and never removed. Until the grass grew again,” he added.
Ngwenya said his only wish is for the CoE to maintain the area consistently to avoid unexpected harm.
He said clearing the field regularly will reduce the anxiety that opposes them. Another resident, Sindi Zulu, said she often struggled to access her home as it is located directly in the long grass.
“As a woman, I do not feel safe walking among this tall grass; anything could happen to me. There is a group of boys who like to sit in this bush, and later in the evening, they make a fire to sit around it.
“Children burn the grass occasionally, which also poses danger as it may burn into someone’s house. They also get frustrated because it is a convenient route to use when going to school,” she said.
Zakewu Nywanya raised concerns based on illegal dumping.
She detailed that their children do not also play outside free due to the fear of the children being raped, stolen or killed. The CoE is aware of the grass-cutting backlog, and the frustration regarding the lack of grass-cutting and general maintenance in the Kwa-Thema and Ext 6 area is noted.
“We acknowledge the inconvenience this has caused the community, and we sincerely apologise. Please understand that the parks department has been experiencing significant capacity challenges, including limited resources and staffing constraints.
“This has resulted in a backlog in most areas throughout the city. To address this, the department has recently appointed contractors to augment our grass-cutting and maintenance services across the municipality,” said CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.
Dlamini added that these contractors are expected to begin operations before the end of May, and grass cutting at Kwa Thema Road, utilising internal resources, is scheduled to resume on May 26.
He added that residents are most welcome to submit their requests at the Parks Depot, located at Moshoeshoe and Kgaswane Street. Alternatively, the community can contact the area manager’s office on 011 999 8816.
“During the grass-cutting season, the area is maintained once a month. However, due to the challenges cited, the frequency could not be adhered to in the current grass-cutting season,” he concluded.
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