Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Hennie van Niekerk and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Kabelo Moreeng.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will launch a petition calling on the Mangaung Metro Municipality (MMM) to include the construction of a protective fence along the railway line in Ward 26, covering Wilgehof, Gardenia, Hospitalpark, and Fichardtpark, in its budget. This action follows five years of unanswered requests and will give residents a platform to express their frustration with MMM’s senior management for ignoring their concerns.
As early as 2016/17, several discussions were held with Transnet to provide fencing, but without success. Residents living adjacent to the railway line often experience stolen goods being carried away across the tracks.
The concerning issues:
- Criminals hide under the canal and stormwater ditch, often sleeping there overnight.
- Thieves and burglars frequently escape across the railway line, making it difficult for SAPS and CPF members to apprehend them.
- Vehicles cannot cross the railway except at Benade bridge or Showgrounds bridge, hampering crime prevention.
- SAPS patrols on horseback have helped deter crime, but it remains an ongoing challenge.
- School children crossing the railway have been robbed of belongings, particularly cellphones.
- Pedestrian bridges exist at Gardenia and two steel bridges in Wilgehof, but residents remain vulnerable without fencing.
- Crime incidents in the area include robbery, attempted robbery, attempted murder, and assault.
We will continue to monitor developments, provide updates, and ensure that roads and services are restored as quickly as possible.