Once a beloved recreational haven in Chatsworth, the Silverglen Nature Reserve has tragically transformed into a grim crime scene following a series of chilling discoveries of murdered bodies. The latest find, a male victim’s tortured and bound body with a gunshot wound to the head, was uncovered by passersby on Tuesday, further escalating fears among local residents.
At least five bodies have been discovered near the reserve this year alone, prompting alarm and growing anxiety in the community. The reserve, which spans 460 hectares and features a dam surrounded by dense veld, has unfortunately become a crime-riddled hotspot, straining the once peaceful atmosphere of the area.
Local resident Ivan Moodley expressed the rising fear within the community. “The series of discoveries of dead bodies has made us fearful because we don’t know who were the people behind the murders. Even more startling is that we don’t know the people who have been found murdered near our beloved nature reserve,” Moodley said.
Fishing and camping activities, once enjoyed by families and outdoor enthusiasts, have all but ceased, as the nature reserve has become too dangerous. “We can’t risk our lives and go there to have fun like we used to because it has become too dangerous. We plead for the intervention of government and other law enforcement agencies to curb what is going on here,” Moodley continued.
The problem extends beyond just the grisly discoveries of bodies. Resident Rob Naicker highlighted the growing issue of car hijackings linked to the area. “Many people who try to steal cars use it as the route in many cases to enter Chatsworth. If nothing is done to stop what is happening here, the situation will only get worse, as Chatsworth already has a high rate of crime,” Naicker warned.
Claude Subramodey, an ambulance service provider, confirmed the disturbing trend. “Yesterday (Tuesday), we were called out in Silverglen after a body was found in that area. I certified the person dead. He was badly beaten. A few weeks ago, I was called there to attend to another dead body,” Subramodey said, stressing that the discovery of corpses near the nature reserve has become an all-too-common occurrence.
Community leader Steven Naidu expressed the difficulty in controlling the influx of people entering Chatsworth. “We are doing the best to deal with the issue of crime in Silverglen. But I must say that the issue of dead people being dumped near the dam is worrying. It is giving us a big headache,” Naidu said. He added that separating criminals from legitimate workers entering the area from nearby uMlazi is increasingly challenging.
The situation has drawn sharp criticism from local politicians. DA Ward councillor Tony Govender bluntly described Silverglen as a “lost ship,” attributing the decline of the nature reserve to rising crime and the increasing number of dead bodies found there. “I can tell you now that the nature reserve is no longer a tourist attraction site. This is due to the issue of crime and the dumping of dead bodies there. Tourists used to go there in droves for hiking and braaing, but they don’t visit anymore,” Govender lamented.
In response to the escalating crime and lawlessness, community members recently took matters into their own hands, blocking Lakeview Drive, a common route used by criminals fleeing law enforcement. Govender warned that without swift government intervention, crime in the area would continue to spiral out of control.
“The Government must do something about the issue of crime in this area, which is evidently out of hand,” Govender urged.
With the Silverglen Nature Reserve’s once-pristine reputation now tainted by fear and lawlessness, local residents are hoping for urgent action to restore safety and security to the area, which has long been an integral part of the community.
