ODENDAALSRUS – Concerns are mounting over a growing backlog in tree maintenance across Odendaalsrus, with residents reporting that overgrown trees and vegetation are creating safety hazards, damaging infrastructure and disrupting electricity supply.

The issue has been raised with Matjhabeng Local Municipality after numerous complaints from residents about trees that have not been trimmed or maintained for extended periods.

According to concerns submitted by the Democratic Alliance (DA), some residents have been waiting years for municipal intervention. In one reported case, a resident has allegedly waited almost a decade for a tree to be pruned.

Residents say overgrown trees are obstructing access to homes, encroaching onto private properties and public spaces, and posing risks to both pedestrians and motorists. Branches growing into overhead power lines have also reportedly contributed to recurring electricity outages in some areas.

Apart from affecting electricity supply, unmanaged vegetation can damage municipal infrastructure, obstruct visibility on roads and create additional safety risks during severe weather.

Questions have also been raised about the capacity of the municipality’s Parks and Recreation Department. It has been alleged that the department is understaffed and lacks sufficient equipment to carry out routine maintenance, although the municipality has not yet commented on these claims.

The DA said it intends submitting formal questions to the Matjhabeng Council, requesting information on the extent of the maintenance backlog and the municipality’s plans to address it.

Among the measures being proposed are:

• Conducting an audit of all outstanding tree trimming and pruning requests.
• Prioritising trees that pose an immediate danger to residents or interfere with electricity infrastructure.
• Ensuring the Parks and Recreation Department has adequate staff, equipment and operational resources.
• Publishing a scheduled maintenance programme so residents know when work is planned.
• Improving response times to service requests and keeping affected communities informed of progress.

Residents have called for routine maintenance to be prioritised before overgrown trees become safety hazards or cause further disruption to essential services.

NovaNews has approached Matjhabeng Local Municipality for comment. Their response will be published once received.

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