Watch: Community refuses to contribute towards fencing off vacant land
To date, hundreds of community members have signed a petition for the field to be fenced.
Residents living near a vacant field belonging to the DRD Gold Mine in Farrar Park still insist the area should be fenced without a contribution from the community.
After opposing the mine’s decision not to reinstall a new fence, residents said that the mine is now willing to erect a fence should the community contribute 50 per cent of the costs.
Last year, DRD Gold Mine said that it would not erect another fence because fencing had been stolen or vandalised in the past.
The concerned community claimed that they have seen a spike of illegal dumping, criminal activities and informal mining on the property no longer fenced.
According to Antoinette van Zyl, spokesperson of the project, the community would not contribute towards the fence as it’s not their property.
“The mine should take responsibility for its property and can’t expect the community to make a contribution or safeguard the fence. I don’t care if DRG Gold reinstalls the exact same fence that got stolen, as long as they maintain it themselves,” said van Zyl.
“We already contributed enough towards the cameras in the area with the help of a security company. Our community used to be our pride and joy.”
Ward 32 Clr Marius de Vos agreed that the area should be fenced off.
“A fence will definitely help to improve the safety of the community. The mine told us that they are willing to reinstall a stronger fence should the community contribute towards the fence.
“Otherwise, they can re-erect the exact same fence that got stolen and vandalised. The mine feels that they’re not obligated to fence the area and are concerned that it will get vandalised and stolen again,” de Vos explained.
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