Children claim pay to use Eastbank Pool

Some Alex children allegedly claim that they are charged to access the Eastbank Swimming Pool, a public facility for City residents.

A group found at the Jukskei River said they paid 50 cents each to a gentlemen outside the entrance and this forced those who couldn’t afford to pay to swim in the river out of desperation. They said others chose to swim in the river for convenience as the pool only opened from mid morning.

The pool reopened late last year after months of closure for repairs and is popular among children wanting to cool down or gain skills for future careers as swimmers or to learn and then help rescue fellow residents from drowning.

At the reopening, City officials stressed that the pool was a free facility for all children and residents and that charges were only levied if they went to pools in other regions. Another official, who requested anonymity, said no official would charge the children and they would be on the look out for anyone wanting to tarnish the City’s image.

Concerns have also been raised of health risks to those who swim or use the river for traditional and religious rituals, as the water is polluted by chemicals and other waste from upstream industries, household waste and building rubble dumped by residents and rubble removers.

A resident Simon Letswela said the children risked contracting water-borne diseases. “Sometimes they dodge used condoms and suspicious-looking things floating past. One time, a few people claimed to have seen a foetus or baby’s body floating down stream.”