JCPZ’s response disgusts residents

Several Kensington residents living around a park at the corner of Argyle and Benbow streets in Kensington, expressed their disgust and disappointment at the negative response from Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) and Clr Carlos da Rocha.

The EXPRESS recently published an article in which residents called for fencing and other safety measures.

This request was made after an alleged rape of a woman and several other crimes in the area.

Residents said they were tired of the crimes taking place as a result of the lack of safety measures around the park area.

Ms Jenny Moodley, from JCPZ, said fencing is not a viable option. She said criminals jump over the barbed wire to commit crimes so palisade fencing was not going to help. She also said vagrants feel safer in fenced off areas.

According to Ms Moodley, although the park was measured, fencing is subject to the availability of funds. She said while the JCPZ is mindful of residents’ concerns, the region highlighted has other, more pressing concerns, which includes the inner city and areas such as Yeoville, Malvern, Berea and Troyeville.

Clr da Rocha, from ward 66, said if residents want a fence around the park they can submit a request to him when the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) process is underway.

He also said it is not council’s policy to have all parks fenced and that if the city does it for one, it will have to do it for all.

Mr Ferdi Greyling said, “Ms Moodley, in effect, said our area must first deteriorate to a crisis point before the council will act. That is bad management. It seems we are faced with a council that sees ratepayers as the opposition. This is not good management. They should repair their relations with a community that wants to work with them.”

“If Clr Da Rocha wants my vote next time, he better provide improved service and responses than what he has provided us with in this instance,” said Mr Greyling.

Mr Navin Bachu described Ms Moodley’s comment about palisade fencing making vagrants feel safer as an open statement.

“She does not know what other plans the Western Kensington Residents Association (WKRA) has in mind to keep the park free of vagrants.”

He reminded the JCPZ and Clr da Rocha that in terms of the Constitution there are three key objectives that city councils and their partners are expected to perform.

“They must ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner, promote a safe and healthy environment and encourage the involvement of communities,” said Mr Bachu.

In addition to a request for a meeting with the officials, residents want the JCPZ to share its priorities and provide an indication of where the WKRA’s request is in relation to the JCPZ’s plans.

They also want Clr da Rocha to send them timelines with regard to the IDP process for next year and templates to complete.

“He must also be available to assist WKRA with the applications as well,” said Mr Bachu.

Clr Da Rocha said the safety and wellbeing of residents in his ward is a priority for him.

“If there are problems they cannot resolve, as always, I will gladly sort it out for them. However, the response I gave about the fence is the response that was issued by the JCPZ. As much as I attempt to assist every resident of my ward equally, I am not in a position to order any official to construct fences or walls, as such things fall under capital expenditure. I can only request. I cannot argue with my community’s statements as I am also a resident and I understand what they are going through. I am in the same boat,” he said.

Clr Da Rocha said the latest information about the IDP process was e-mailed to the community and Mr Bachu was aware of it. “When the new IDP process opens, the community will be informed through their leaders. If the community requires a public meeting with the JCPZ I will arrange for such a meeting. I do not feel it is right that I take any questions or provide answers on their behalf. Ultimately, the JCPZ needs to answer to the community. I also urge residents to assist in resolving service delivery problems by reporting them as and when they see them,” he said.