Congella Sports Club clean-up continues
The municipality has cleaned up the open space at Congella Sports Club in an effort to remove vagrants and clean up the area.
CLEAN-UP work at the Congella Sports Club site has been applauded by ward councillor, Nicole Graham, who has been putting pressure on the municipality for years to get something done about the derelict site.
Work on the open space opposite King Edward Hospital was started last month, where municipal staff pruned and removed invasive alien trees at the site and dealt with the challenges of vagrants and drug issues.
The hiring of a 10 ton truck made work much easier as the site was littered with rubble from illegal dumping. With phase one of the site completed, signage warning against illegal dumping has been ordered and will be erected this month. According to Graham, the Roads Department will also be assisting by issuing concrete barriers to be placed over the entrance to the site so vehicles will not be able to enter.
On visiting the site with Councillor Graham this week, Berea Mail witnessed vagrants setting up their shacks, but Graham said Metro Police would return to remove them.
“I am very pleased that the lower part of the Congella Sports Club land was cleared of dumping, dilapidated structures and other debris. The area, while still in need of a lot of attention, looks significantly better. This area requires almost daily intervention from the city, as there are regular attempts to establish informal dwellings there. I thank the officials that heeded this request and trust this will be consistent, as the community is completely fed up he mess that this site has become,” said Graham.
In an article last August, surrounding businesses had complained about the number of vagrants who had set up home in the open plot and burnt cable during the day. A businessman said there had been break-ins every week. They had called for the bush to be cut on the site and for the dilapidated buildings on the property to be demolished, as criminals hid in them when running from the police.
Graham said no further news had been given on the security aspect at the sports club ground. It was reported last October that following a meeting with representatives from the city, community watches and Metro Police, the Parks Department planned to fence the area with durable plastic fencing which should be completed by June 2016.
She said more security guards were required on site, and this was something Parks was considering. There was also a proposal that surrounding businesses may be willing to assist with security, and that this would be further explored by herself and Glenwood Community Watch.
“Metro Police committed to continuing their work in this area, and to communicating with SAPS to better resolve crime issues linked to these sites. If all these issues are followed through and properly investigated, we can turn the state of this area around. It requires a strong commitment from all departments who have a stake in this matter,” said Graham.
The sports club section is in the process of being re-zoned for the eThekwini Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN) Southern Corridor, where plans are to use it for gap housing. Although the objection period for these proposed plans ended on 28 September, Graham said there was no definite time frame on this to date.
