Phalaborwa park branded ‘crime hotspot’ by residents
Phalaborwa's Park Street residents say their park has become a criminal haven, urging safety action as robberies and vandalism rise.
PHALABORWA – Residents of Park Street in Phalaborwa have dubbed the park a “gangster’s paradise”, saying it has become a haven for criminals rather than a safe place for children to play.
Residents say park plagued by crime
According to a local businessman, the park, originally meant to be a recreational space, has turned into a hideout for criminals who use it as an escape route after committing crimes.
The business owner said that their shop has been broken into three times, and several nearby residents have suffered similar losses.
“After the criminals break into houses or steal from people, they run straight to the park and cross to the other street,” he explained. “They also hide in the bushes and target people walking alone, especially women, and rob them of their belongings. A few months ago, a woman was raped after walking through the park alone. The suspect hit her with a brick, knocked her down, and sexually assaulted her.”
Calls for better maintenance
Another resident said that although the park is cleaner after recent debushing, more needs to be done.
“The municipality must clear all the bushes. People don’t feel safe anymore,” the person told the Herald.
During the Herald’s visit, the park was found littered with used nappies and piles of building rubble, further adding to residents’ concerns about hygiene and safety.
Police, CPF pledge to investigate concerns
Sergeant Elvis Mongwe of the Phalaborwa Police Station and Anton Kellerman, chairperson of the Community Policing Forum (CPF), said this was the first time they had heard of the residents’ complaints but promised to take action.
“People must start reporting criminal activity happening in their neighbourhood so we can keep an eye on problem areas,” said Mongwe. “Together with the CPF, we are constantly patrolling and monitoring our town. As the social crime unit, we’ll start looking into this issue.”
Kellerman urged residents to avoid walking alone at night and assured them that the CPF is available to assist the community around the clock.
Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality spokesperson Jonas Mahesu advised residents to report unsafe parks or community safety concerns to their ward councillor and the municipality’s community safety department so the issues can be addressed.
Residents can report crimes or safety concerns using the following contacts:
- Phalaborwa Police Station at 079 891 2423.
- CPF at 071 044 4850.
- The municipality’s community safety department at 015 780 6300.
