Johannesburg – Ekurhuleni residents have raised concerns about the unsightly overgrown grass, which not only poses a health hazard but also provides muggers with cover as they wait to pounce.
The long grass, which is everywhere one looks, also enables mosquitoes to breed in large numbers.
The once pristine open spaces and well-kept cemeteries with manicured lawns are some of the most affected areas.
The Bulrushes recently visited the Thomas Titus Nkobi Memorial Park, also known as South Park Cemetery, in Boksburg, where struggle icon Chris Hani is buried.
The cemetery resembles a bush with overgrown shrubs and long grass, which now conceals graves.
“I was appalled and disappointed at what I saw. The cemetery was in a bad condition. I went there to visit my father’s grave, but the grass was so long… I could not reach it,” said Rachel Dlamini.
She said she could not risk walking through the long grass.
“I was scared I could be bitten by a snake or other insects.”
Oupa Mokoena, a resident of Thokoza and a member of the local Community Forum, said the long grass was aiding muggers in the area.
“We received a number of complaints from community members who have fallen victim to crime while going or returning from work,” said Mokoena.
“We have also received complaints from residents who fall victim to crime during the day.
“We call on the municipality to cut the grass… such a service is a necessity.”
An employee at the municipality told The Bulrushes that ageing infrastructure and budget cuts were to blame for poor service delivery.
“We are having a serious challenge with personnel and resources.
“Our equipment is old and most of our tractors are either broken or at the workshop cause there’s no funds to fix them.
“We are barely coping with the personnel and machines we have.
“The only solution for cutting grass at cemeteries is to wait for the appointment of contractors for the grass-cutting tender.
“Hopefully, that can happen next month.
“The Chris Hani commemoration event is coming, the city will probably ask for the pulling of resources from all areas to assist at Thomas Titus Nkobi Memorial Park.”
Another employee blamed the situation on budget cuts.
“Our division is neglected when the budget is allocated. They focus mainly on waste management and forget about us, it was better when we were still part of Sports and Recreation,” said the second employee.
“I have noticed that municipal management is pushing with this [grass cutting] tender to be finalised… you know most of them have personal interest, wink wink.”
Asked to comment on the appalling state of the municipality’s open spaces and cemeteries, City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the municipality was hamstrung by ageing equipment.
Dlamini said recent heavy rains had led to the rapid growth of shrubs and grass.
“One of the reasons is that it took us a while to appoint service providers and rains made it worse than usual,” said Dlamini, adding: “Grass cutting is underway”.
