Paulshof residents and City of Johannesburg officials met at Paulshof Spruit Park on August 22, in a heated public meeting to address mounting health, safety, and environmental concerns at the confluence of the rivers near Achter Road.

The meeting, called by the Region A Health Department, brought together representatives from City Parks, Environmental Health, the city’s Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM) office, and Ward 93 councillor Vino Reddy.

Residents said the park, once a peaceful greenbelt, has become a hotspot for ritual gatherings, animal slaughter, toxic waste burning, and uncontrolled occupation of public space.

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Long-time resident Kai Hichert described the toll on the community. “We, as residents, are already cleaning up, putting out fires, and doing our part, but we need City Parks to take back this park, and we need JMPD to enforce the by-laws.

The water is toxic, and still, people are bathing in it. We need signs from the Health Department warning the public. We are not here to fight with the city, we want to assist, but we cannot do it alone.”

Reddy highlighted the growing problem of animal slaughter on the riverbanks, saying it was a violation of both health and municipal regulations.

“Slaughtering in suburbs requires city approval. It must meet humane standards, and carcasses must be disposed of properly. Instead, remains are being left on the riverbed or thrown into the water, contaminating it further. These practices have grown significantly in recent years and cannot be ignored.”

He added that many gatherings taking place in the park contravene city by-laws. “Any gathering of more than 20 people in a public open space requires city approval. There are no ablution facilities or water here, yet large groups are occupying this park for hours. That poses serious health risks for residents and users of the space.”

Nokubonga Mvolontshi, from City Parks, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, confirming that investigations are underway and that multiple departments will have to collaborate to deliver a solution.

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“This is not an issue that one unit can resolve. It requires Environmental Health, City Parks, CRUM, and enforcement. We are working towards a collaborative response, so that when we come back to the community, we come with one voice and one solution.”

MEC for Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Development Vuyiswa Ramokopa also responded to the ongoing crisis, saying her office had already escalated the matter to several mayoral committee members, including Public Safety and Social Development and Housing, and had engaged directly with JMPD’s head of by-law enforcement.

“JMPD and all city officials are required to enforce and uphold the by-laws. If people are putting themselves, or the environment, at risk, or infringing on the rights of others, the city is empowered to restrict access to those spaces, until a long-term solution is found.

“These challenges are not new, but they have been left unattended for too long.

We will continue to engage the MMCs and the mayor, and use public pressure, such as petitions and the media, to create accountability. Lasting change will only come when political will and ethical leaders are willing to serve the residents.”

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