Three Newcastle Suburbs Entrenched in Crime and Decay: Councillor Vows Solutions

Robberies, burglaries, the visible presence of drug dealers, a blatant disregard for municipal bylaws, and severely damaged infrastructure have come to dominate the narrative in Newcastle’s Ward 5. The situation has reached a critical point, with tensions boiling in the suburbs of Barry Hertzog Park, Amajuba Park, and Ncandu Park.

As community frustration mounts, Ward Councillor Musa Ndlovu finds himself grappling with residents increasingly vocalising and expressing their exasperation with the escalating issues.

The above mentioned suburbs have seen a sharp rise in incidents that have pushed residents to a breaking point. Reflecting on the challenges, Cllr Ndlovu highlighted the crime wave that has surged through these communities. “We’re witnessing a notable increase in crime across Ward 5,” he explained, further stating that one of the contributing factors to this crime spike has been the presence of vacant houses throughout the ward. He pointed out that criminals were using these properties as bases, allowing them to monitor neighbouring homes and residents’ movements undetected.

According to Cllr Ndlovu, the situation came to a head earlier this week when community members reached a tipping point and decided to take matters into their own hands. “Residents grouped together to start raiding the vacant houses, looking for those they believed were responsible for the recent spike in crime,” he stated.

However, before they could begin, law enforcement discovered a firearm and a small quantity of drugs in one of the homes after a tip-off.

Due to this and the threat of potential mob justice, Cllr Ndlovu said, “I had to step in and explain the risks to them, as they were putting their lives in jeopardy. If a firearm was found in one vacant property, it’s highly likely that those responsible for the crime may possess more weapons. Should they feel cornered in these houses, they might panic and shoot at residents.”

He also added a stern warning against any form of vigilantism. “Law-abiding residents could find themselves facing charges for their actions. We simply cannot allow residents to take the law into their own hands,” Cllr Ndlovu stressed, urging caution and patience.

To address the issue of vacant houses contributing to the spike in crime, Cllr Ndlovu has taken a proactive approach. “We’ve compiled a list of all vacant houses in Ward 5, and I’m currently collaborating with the police and the Newcastle Municipality to tackle the matter. The Newcastle SAPS will help monitor these properties, while we will work to contact the property owners and put measures in place to prevent further criminal activity,” explained Cllr Ndlovu.

Moreover, a student from the college on Tommy Boydell Street in Barry Hertzog Park explained that students often had to walk together due to the crime. “When we walk alone, especially in the late afternoon, we are targeted by paras,” said the disheartened student.

Cllr Ndlovu further revealed disturbing findings related to drug distribution in Ward 5, alleging that certain tuckshops in the area are hiding behind their reputations as legitimate businesses to peddle drugs to the community. “We are now currently identifying these tuckshops, so that the police can start clamping down on them,” said Cllr Ndlovu.

In addition to the issues surrounding drugs, robberies, and burglaries, Cllr Ndlovu pointed out that not even municipal property has been spared from crime. “There was excessive speeding along FW Beyers Street, which prompted us to install a speed bump to improve safety. Yet, someone has gone so far as to steal the sign that warns motorists about the speed bump. Who steals a road sign? This is absolutely unacceptable. We must address crime in all forms across Ward 5.”

Residents have also voiced their anger over public drinking, which has become a pervasive issue in Barry Hertzog Park, Amajuba Park, and Ncandu Park. Numerous locals have reported seeing young people openly consuming alcohol as they walk through the streets.

“It’s disgusting. Every single day, people can be seen drinking in public, whether it’s in one of the parks in the area or outside people’s yards. They walk around with bottles in hand, and when they’re done, they just throw their bottles along the road or leave them on the pavement. The next day, residents are left to pick up the litter. If anyone tries to confront them, they become aggressive and start swearing. It’s even worse when they’re drunk—they relieve themselves wherever they feel like it, including right by the side of the road. Also, people will also park their cars on the road, while drinking and socialising, which is unacceptable,” said an irate resident.

Cllr Ndlovu expressed his frustration over this trend, stating that he was fully aware of residents’ disregard for bylaws and was now determined to see them enforced to the fullest extent. “Public drinking and urinating are a major issue in Ward 5,” he said. “I’m taking concrete steps to ensure that those ignoring these bylaws face consequences for their actions. We cannot allow this level of disrespect for our community’s wellbeing.”

Adding to the myriads of problems in Ward 5 is the damaged infrastructure that poses direct risks to residents. A total of four streetlights have been damaged so extensively that they began endangering public safety.

During a recent assessment of the area, Cllr Ndlovu reported seeing a streetlight in Barry Hertzog Park that had been ripped in half, leaving the top half lying across the pavement. In Amajuba Park, another streetlight was found hanging precariously across the road, presenting a hazard to drivers. A third light was also identified in Amajuba Park, with the fixture dangling loosely from the pole, a potential danger to unsuspecting pedestrians. The fourth damaged streetlight was discovered lying on the pavement in Ncandu Park.

“Three of the streetlights were damaged during the high winds on Monday, 4 November 2024, while the fourth was struck by a vehicle,” Cllr Ndlovu explained. “I’ve begun the process of having them repaired to prevent further harm.”

He also mentioned that non-functional streetlights would be attended to as well, to ensure that residents can identify any suspicious individuals lurking in the darkened streets of Ward 5.

Alongside these efforts to improve infrastructure, Cllr Ndlovu issued a notice to residents of Barry Hertzog Park. He informed them that, on Thursday, 7 November 2024, the Newcastle Municipality will conduct urgent electrical repairs in the suburb, which are scheduled to take place from 8 am to 4 pm. These repairs will impact Grober Avenue, Tielman Roos Lane, Creswell Avenue, FW Beyers Street, and Tommy Boydell Street. He advised residents to exercise caution and treat all installations and appliances as live during the repair period.

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As Ward 5 faces multiple challenges, from crime and drug activity to crumbling infrastructure, Cllr Ndlovu urged the community to show patience as he, the Newcastle Municipality, and the police work diligently to restore safety and order.

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