The continued problem of unlawful motor vehicle traffic in public parks is receiving the attention of the local municipality.

Not only quadbikes, but sedans, bakkies, trucks and even passenger buses are contravening several municipal by-laws on a regular basis when they take shortcuts across public parklands or leave the street surface to drive into a park.

Unsightly dust scars across most of the parks in town, which deface the otherwise tranquil surroundings, demonstrate the total disregard for these valuable assets created at high cost to serve the entire community. It also suggests a reckless disregard for the safety and lives of young children and other pedestrians who play and stroll and relax in these parks.

The unsightly dust scars become muddy furrows during the rainy season and turn into irreversible damage caused by soil erosion. Trees, planted and nurtured for many years at considerable cost to the taxpayers, are damaged and start to die off in these parks as a result of the compacting of the soil caused by frequent motor vehicle traffic in their close proximity and on their catchment area.

In an interview, Mr George Ntsundeni of the Makhado Municipality said the municipality is aware of the damage caused by these unacceptable practises. Members of the public should immediately inform the municipality at all hours on (015) 519 3000 of offenders driving vehicles into the parks or damaging trees and plants in the parks.

Mr Ntsundeni said various measures are being considered at present to curb these malpractices. Special attention will be given to prevent the unlawful habit of taking shortcuts with vehicles across these parks.

For those motorists who are looking for a shady spot to park and relax, special provision has been made in the Indigenous Tree Sanctuary, with its entrance next to the Tourist Information Centre alongside the N1.