After months of negotiations, DRDGold Mine has agreed to re-erect the fence around the vacant field in Farrar Park.
Concerned residents insisted that the fence that was stolen approximately a year ago be replaced by the mine. They claimed that the open field was dangerous and was causing numerous problems in the community.
Last year, DRDGold Mine said that it would not erect another fence, because fencing had been stolen or vandalised in the past.
The community, however, opposed the mine’s decision.
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DRDGold then said that the mine was willing to erect a stronger fence, should the community contribute 50 per cent of the costs.
Residents refused to contribute towards the fence as it is not their property, and demanded that the mine replace it.
An agreement was finally reached when DRDGold said it was prepared to reinstall the same fence.
Ward 32 Clr Marius de Vos confirmed that the battle between the community of Farrar Park and DRDGold was over.
“After intense engagements with representatives of DRDGold, we have reached an amicable solution, including that the mine will re-erect the fence at its own cost but urges the community to take care of the investment.”
He said the absence of the fence had attracted criminals who emerged from the adjacent unkempt bush, which belongs to the mine.
“I am expecting acts of house break-ins and illegal dumping to decrease in Farrar Park with the fence re-erected along Fitzpatrick Street,” de Vos explained.
According to Antoinette van Zyl, the spokesperson of the project, the community is grateful that the field will now be fenced.
“I felt like a kid in a candy store when I heard about the mine’s decision to install the fence in the area at their own expense.”
She said the community contributed towards the funding of security cameras in the vicinity of the fence and was unable to contribute to the fence as well.
“We fought hard for this fence and will do what we possibly can to prevent the fence from getting stolen again. Residents will feel a lot safer with a fenced field,” she pointed out.
The Advertiser is still awaiting confirmation from DRDGold.
