Albertsville community call for lasting solutions to neighbourhood problems at Sector 4 meeting
Years of complaints over illegal dumping, suspected drug activity, and nuisance properties again took centre stage as residents challenged police and local authorities to deliver lasting solutions.
Frustration over issues that residents say have lingered for years dominated discussions at the latest Sector 4 community meeting.
Residents from Albertsville, Greymont, and neighbouring suburbs gathered with Sophiatown SAPS and community leaders at the Church of the Nazarene on August 1 to raise concerns ranging from illegal dumping and suspected drug activity to nuisance properties and by-law enforcement. One of the recurring concerns centred on the Albert’s Farm swimming pool, where residents reported people allegedly using and selling drugs, while vagrants were said to be sleeping on the premises.
Read more: Ward 86 residents urged to make their voices heard at upcoming CPF meeting
Sector 4 manager Sergeant Benneth Maluleke said officers would increase visible policing in the area to discourage illegal activity. He explained that patrol officers would be instructed to regularly visit the site and conduct searches where necessary to disrupt criminal behaviour and discourage people from using the area as a gathering point. Maluleke said municipal by-law enforcement numbers will be distributed to the residents allowing incidents to be reported directly to the relevant departments for quicker intervention. Residents were also encouraged to photograph offenders and vehicle registration plates where it was safe to do so, but to send the information directly to police instead of posting it on community WhatsApp groups.
Another issue that once again drew significant attention was the so-called ‘Pink House’, which residents said continues to generate complaints at almost every community meeting. Maluleke explained that the matter remained complicated because the property had not been hijacked and legally belonged to family members who inherited it. He said police planned to engage with the owners to better understand the situation and address concerns where possible.
Also read: Linden CPF meeting highlights community frustrations
Despite the frustrations expressed during the meeting, Maluleke described the gathering as productive, saying he was encouraged by residents’ willingness to become more involved in improving safety.
The meeting was a call for renewed community participation for residents in continuing to attend these meetings, report incidents through the correct channels, and work together with the police in addressing the challenges affecting the sector.
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