Nearly two years after the completion of the first phase of fencing around Smit Street Park, approval has finally been granted to clean up the adjacent illegal dump site that has long been plagued by illegal dumping and criminal activity. Once the site has been cleared and rehabilitated, work will begin on the second phase of the fencing project to secure the remaining section of the park and help prevent future dumping.

The project brings together Beagle Watch, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ), Pikitup, Ward 98 councillor Beverley Jacobs and other stakeholders in a coordinated effort to restore the neglected area.

Read more: Decision looming on Fairland Pikitup dump site expansion

Beagle Watch managing director André Aiton will spearhead the initiative, with Renico providing a TLB to level the site while community cleaners and Pikitup remove illegally dumped waste.

Beagle Watch’s Frikkie Nel welcomed the outcome of the stakeholder meeting, saying it finally provided the approvals needed for work to begin.

He said City Parks is expected to start clearing trees and invasive vegetation on August 24, after which Beagle Watch will move in with heavy machinery to level the land before the remaining ClearVu fencing is installed.

“We’ve finally got answers, and we’ve finally got the go-ahead,” Nel said.

According to Nel, the rehabilitation work is expected to take only a few days before attention shifts to raising about R300 000 needed to complete the fencing around the remainder of the park.

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He said businesses and residents would once again be approached to support the fundraising campaign, with donation details to be shared through Beagle Watch’s communication platforms.

JCPZ’s Alton Rankin confirmed the entity would focus on horticultural work, including trimming trees and removing blue gums, bugweed, shrubs and other invasive vegetation, while working alongside Pikitup and community stakeholders during the clean-up.

Ward 98 councillor Beverley Jacobs described the approval as a significant milestone after years of delays.

She said the Environmental Infrastructure Services Department (EISD) had now committed to a plan that would remove illegally dumped material, rehabilitate the site and prepare it for the next phase of fencing.

Jacobs said the objective was to restore the park into a safe recreational space where residents could once again relax, exercise and enjoy.

She added that while the project was finally moving forward, she would continue seeking answers about why it had taken so long to reach this stage.

“There will be further developments regarding the delays and why it took this long to get here. I will be asking for further investigations into the matter as well,” she said.

If fundraising targets are met, the completed fencing is expected to significantly reduce illegal dumping and criminal activity while helping preserve the park for future generations.

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