Norkem Park residents demand urgent action over vandalised Scout Hall
Scout Hall continues to be neglected and community is afraid of what criminals might use it for that can endanger their lives.
The Norkem Park community is calling for urgent intervention regarding the long-standing neglect of Scout Hall, a once-valued community facility that has been abandoned for several months.
Due to a lack of security and oversight, the building has been severely vandalised and now poses a serious safety and security risk to residents.
There are growing concerns that the vacant structure could become a crime hotspot, further endangering the community.
Ward 91 Clr Desmond McKenzie said the City of Ekurhuleni’s Parks Department is responsible for cutting the grass around the facility, but the area has been left unattended.
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“The Parks Department has failed to cut the grass for an extended period.
“The area has become overgrown, resembling a jungle, with rodents roaming freely. It creates both health and environmental hazards,” said McKenzie.
He added that despite repeated concerns raised by residents, there has been a clear lack of urgency and commitment from the CoE to secure, maintain and restore the important community asset.
“The residents of Norkem Park are demanding immediate action to address the overgrown grass and environmental hazards, prevent further vandalism and criminal activity, and restore the facility for safe and meaningful community use,” he said.
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“The continued neglect of Schout Hall reflects poorly on the city’s commitment to community safety and infrastructure maintenance, residents say. We expect decisive action without further delay.”
Kempton Express reached out to CoE spokesperson Zweli Dlamini for comment, but no feedback had been received at the time of publication.
