Eight years of neglect at Emma Park sparks frustration

Emma Park has become a focal point of frustration for residents over the past eight years due to the increasing presence of waste reclaimers, contributing to the deterioration of the public space.

Ward 99 councillor Nicole Van Dyk has been vocal about the lack of action from the authorities, stating that efforts to address the situation have been escalated, “Almost daily.”

Read more: Emma Park is slowly turning into informal settlement

Van Dyk expressed her frustration with the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), highlighting that while they do respond, they often lack the necessary court orders to remove waste reclaimers effectively.

“I have been asking since March last year for a public meeting with JMPD and social development to discuss this issue, but the regional director does not take us seriously,” she lamented.

The councillor emphasised that fencing off the park has been a proposed solution, yet no action has been taken. “When the city fails to act, residents are left to deal with the consequences,” she said.

In light of the ongoing issues, Van Dyk organised a meeting with residents to brainstorm potential solutions. She mentioned the importance of responsible recycling and highlighted organisations like UPCYCLE, which helps recycle electronics, as alternative avenues for waste management.

The African Reclaimers Organisation (ARO) was also discussed as a model that could formalise the role of waste reclaimers, allowing them to contribute positively to the community while adhering to legal guidelines.

Van Dyk drew comparisons to the Blairgowrie Swimming Pool, where residents took matters into their own hands by adopting the park due to similar issues. “Residents had enough and said that we either stop paying our taxes or you help us fight this problem,” she noted, showcasing the community’s frustration with the lack of municipal support.

Ward 98 councillor Beverley Jacobs highlighted the need for stronger enforcement of by-laws to address the ongoing issues in Emma Park, as well as in other areas.

Jacobs pointed out that while recycling contributes to income, it also poses risks to both wildlife and residents.

Also read: Emma Park gets a clean-up

“Ultimately, we have to be law abiding citizens. I completely understand that it is bringing an income, however we are not going to win, as this is becoming a war now, if we do not abide by the law. There is an aspect that is missing here. We need to push these issues, and that is another angle that we need to approach. Ultimately, this is not conducive to anyone at the moment.”

She further voiced that fencing might serve as a temporary measure, while the city works toward a more sustainable long-term solution. She stressed that a united approach among city entities is crucial for effective problem-solving.

Meanwhile, Mike Smith, deputy director and regional commander for Region B, voiced that it has become a place where recyclers have settled. “We do frequent cleanups here, as JMPD, with Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM) and their Integrated Visible Service Delivery (IVSD) programme, where all the entities come together and do cleanups.”

He further voiced that this is not unique to Emma Park, and that it occurs all over the city of Johannesburg.

Region B director Sello Lemao highlighted that generally they do have challenges, as the city, with the management of open spaces. “It is just an invasion. It’s more of a social issue now, with displaced individuals invading the park. They are from this region. They come from townships, and they resort to settling in open spaces and nobody monitors these open spaces.”

Lemao concluded that he will organise another meeting with regards to Emma Park, with a site inspection, and is working on a solution for said issue.

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