The once-thriving council-owned venue at Prince George Park now stands gutted beyond repair after repeated break-ins saw criminals strip the facility of virtually everything of value.

This included plumbing, electrical wiring, fittings, ceilings and infrastructure. It has deprived ratepayers of yet another public sporting amenity.

In its response to the Boksburg Advertiser, the City of Ekurhuleni effectively confirmed that the facility was left without security due to budget constraints before it was vandalised – a factor both officials and concerned residents say contributed to its destruction.

The metro’s response follows the Advertiser’s recent report detailing how vandals stripped the facility of doors, plumbing, electrical wiring, ceilings, fittings and other infrastructure in what appears to have been the final blow for one of the city’s last remaining squash clubs.

Metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini confirmed: “Due to budget constraints in the 2025/26 financial year, there was no allocation of the security guards at the facility.”
The city further acknowledged that existing security measures were not fully effective, where gaps existed.

The admission follows criticism from residents, CPF members and Ward 32 Clr Marius de Vos, who accused the metro of leaving public sporting facilities vulnerable to vandals and thieves who target public facilities, stripping materials such as copper, fittings and building infrastructure, allegedly for resale.

Security withdrawn
According to the metro, security guards had previously been deployed at the squash club under an EMPD contract.

However, limited funding meant the facility no longer received dedicated security, despite repeated requests for deployments at sporting and recreational facilities across the city.

The city said security deployment at high-risk facilities will now be reviewed based on prior assessments submitted to EMPD.

Residents argue that the absence of visible security left the facility exposed to repeated targeting, particularly for copper wiring, metal fittings and other materials stolen for resale.

Repairs unlikely in near future
While the city said the facility “could be upgraded or repaired”, officials indicated that restoration is unlikely to be prioritised in the immediate future due to financial constraints.

Dlamini said the squash club’s decline also followed the expiry of a lease agreement, where maintenance had been the responsibility of the lessee.

“The facility could be upgraded or repaired, but might not be a priority in the next financial year due to the limited repairs and maintenance budget allocated to the division,” he said.
The metro added that physical assessments will be conducted to determine whether the facility should be repaired, repurposed, or formally decommissioned.

Broader decline acknowledged
The metro also acknowledged broader challenges affecting public facilities across Ekurhuleni, including ageing infrastructure, maintenance backlogs, vandalism and budget pressures.

Residents and community leaders have repeatedly warned that several municipal facilities across Boksburg are deteriorating due to neglect and inadequate security.

De Vos previously told the Advertiser that public facilities across the city were ‘falling into decay’, while residents raised concerns about increasing criminal activity around abandoned municipal properties.

The metro said it is increasingly relying on public-private partnerships and lease agreements to improve oversight, maintenance and security at underutilised facilities.
“The city’s strategy focuses on activating facilities through PPPs and lease agreements to ensure occupancy and oversight,” said Dlamini.

Concern for nearby boxing facility
Concerns were also raised about the nearby Tony Green Hall boxing club facility, which residents fear could suffer similar vandalism if urgent interventions are not implemented.

The metro said immediate interventions will include a security risk assessment, engagement with EMPD, and formalising agreements with facility users to strengthen joint security and maintenance efforts.
Educational programmes operating from the boxing facility have also raised concerns about crime, drug activity and safety risks for learners in the area.

Also Read: Neglected squash courts get the green light

Criminal case opened
The city confirmed that a criminal case relating to vandalism at the squash club was opened in January following the first reported break-in during the festive season – an incident residents believe may have triggered a wave of further attacks on the facility.

The vandalism matter is now being handled by both SAPS and EMPD.
The department said it will follow up on the investigation’s progress while continuing to cooperate with law enforcement authorities.

At its peak in the 1980s, the six-court facility reportedly accommodated about 600 members and was regarded as one of the city’s leading squash venues.
The question remains: how many more public infrastructure facilities will be lost before decisive intervention is taken?

Also Read: Holiday break-in deals major blow to Boksburg Squash Club