Vagrants take over Murray Park pool
Vagrants say they have been living there since 2008 and have made the place safe for them to live.
Homeless people have taken over the Murray Park swimming pool in Belgravia and turned it into a home.
According to Mr Fani Vilakazi, who also lives at the pool, most of the people have been living there for seven years.
“Different reasons have brought us here. Some of us have lost jobs and we couldn’t find a place to stay. Others were evicted from where they lived,” said Mr Vilakazi.
The pool is next to the Murray Park Library and also next to a school.
People pass the area every day, unaware of what is behind the four walls.
According to a resident living in the area, the pool has been deserted for years and they don’t know the reason why.
Vagrants say they have been living there since 2008 and have made the place safe for them to live.
“Before, there were problems with crime and criminals used to hide here. The police used to come here and wake us up in the middle of the night to search the place for criminals. But after a while they realised we are people living here trying to survive. Criminals also stopped coming to hide here,” said one man.
The change room now houses families and although there are concerns about the living conditions, family members said they have nowhere else to go.
“There are children living here and this place is not the ideal place to raise children,” said Mr Vilakazi.
“The pool water is green and there is rubbish floating in the water. We are afraid for the children living here because the water cannot be healthy. It is a health hazard,” said one woman.
“The people living there don’t have jobs and they make a living from doing odd jobs around the area. Some are still looking for better work,” said Mr Vilakazi.
He said people have been to the area before and looked around, promising to help secure better living conditions, but they never came back.
“They promised to get us a temporary cover for the pool, to prevent any children from falling into the pool while they try to get us a better living space. They never came back and we are still waiting,” said Mr Vilakazi.
The EXPRESS approached City of Johannesburg Mayoral Committee Member for Housing, Clr Bonakelo Daniel Bovu, who said that although he was not familiar with the Murray Park pool situation, the matter will be investigated.
