Witfield residents are displeased about the untidiness and “indecent” activities happening in Witfield Park, on the corner of Main and Sharon streets.
Resident Audrey van Jaarsveld said the indecent activities usually happen on holidays, weekends and sometimes on workdays.
“We are usually subjected to loud music played by people in the park. What is agonising for residents is that the people who come to the park are inconsiderate – they urinate anywhere they want and even next to our properties,” she said.
A woman who works in a medical surgery next to the park, who asked to remain anonymous, said they have been robbed twice in the surgery by people who pretended to be visiting the park.
“A security guard needs to be hired to watch over the park because I don’t feel safe and surely other people who live around the park feel the same way,” said the woman.
A security guard who works in the area said the armed men who robbed Witfield SUPERSPAR and other stores in a nearby shopping complex recently gathered at Witfield Park before committing the robberies.
“I’m in charge of guarding our clients’ homes in Witfield, but I’m afraid to park in the park because I might be disarmed of my work pistol.“Some people who loiter in the park are dangerous.
“I usually find a lot of people enjoying themselves in the park during weekends, and some of these people might be the ones who are stealing in the area,” he said.
City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the metro is aware of the infringement of by-laws in Witfield Park.
“We have requested the EMPD to increase patrols at the park. The plan of building ablutions and litter bins will be put under the CAPEX budget.
“The community safety department is busy with the process of placing security guards in strategic facilities, so the park will be included in the process.
“As the park doesn’t have caretakers, a team from our parks department will be sent to clean the area,” said Dlamini.
Also Read: 75% Ekurhuleni municipal debt write-off sparks city-wide protests
Also Read: Metro finally gives Boksburg Cemetery a clean-up
