Residents of Klopper Park are up in arms, demanding answers from the city over millions of rands spent on the unfinished Klopper Park Fire Station, which has been vandalised and become a crime hotspot.
Ward 92 councillor Kade Guerrero says the abandoned structure has turned into a growing burden for the community.
Residents are now forced to cut the overgrown grass themselves just to maintain visibility and safety around the site, because of the crime increase in the area.
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According to the councillor, the place has become a hideout for criminals and a drug use space.
“The building has become an eyesore. It is no longer just an incomplete project; it is now a safety risk.
“Criminals are using it as a hideout, and the structure is being stripped of metal and even bricks. It has created distress in the community,” said Guerrero.
The Democratic Alliance conducted an oversight visit last week Wednesday, describing it as a symbol of failed infrastructure delivery.
According to DA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane, construction of the fire station began in 2014 with the aim of improving emergency response times in areas including Klopper Park, Isando, Meadowdale, Tunney, and Elandsfontein.
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However, more than a decade later, the facility remains incomplete and heavily vandalised.
The project, initially valued at R25m, came to a halt after the city terminated the original contractor due to poor performance and workmanship.
Although a new contractor was later appointed, ongoing legal disputes stalled progress indefinitely, leaving the site abandoned with no clear plan for completion.
“This is unacceptable. Every day this facility remains unused places lives, businesses, and property at greater risk,” Rasilingwane said.
The DA has called on the City of Ekurhuleni to urgently provide a clear timeline to resolve the legal impasse, secure the site to prevent further vandalism, and ensure construction resumes without further delays.
“Residents are tired of waiting and are demanding action before the situation deteriorates further. They are watching they tax money being wasted away,” said Rasilingwane.
GCN sent an enquiry to the City of Ekurhuleni on July 16 and requested comment by July 20, at 9:30. At the time of going to print no comment.
