George: Denneoord faces break-ins, fire risk

At this hide-out in the plantation, Alec Pointon found goods stolen from his home. There is evidence that fires are being made here, creating a huge risk of forest fires in a plantation belonging to the state and where uncontrolled access as well fires were illegal in the past. Photo: Alida de Beer

GEORGE NEWS FLASH - Denneoord residents whose properties border on the plantations at the foot of the mountain are not only plagued by break-ins, but according to a concerned resident, they are also at great risk of fire.

According to Alec Pointon, who has had three break-ins at his home, these crimes are committed by people who hide in the forest from where they monitor residents' movements. He accuses the authorities responsible for neglegting the maintenance of the plantations, making them ideal to be used as a hide-out for criminals.

Pointon also showed the George Herald that firebreaks are non-existent, which poses a huge fire threat to properties bordering on the forest, especially with the berg wind season starting.

Furthermore, the plantations, which were previously not accessible to the public without a permit, have become a haven for drug users. A "chill spot" is openly advertised along the railway line from Fernridge, past Denneoord up to a waterfall where users, also children of as young as 13 years, have been witnessed going.

- George Herald