Shocking conditions at the Caravan Park

IF YOU go down to the Vryheid Caravan Park near Cecil Emmett Hall, you're in for a shock… quite literally.

The ablution facilities are in a state of utter disrepair, with only three showers and one geyser in working order to accommodate approximately 30 people.

The wiring appears to be faulty, as the few remaining taps literally shock anyone who touches them, and light fittings hang haphazardly from the ceiling, clearly not in any condition to provide even the minimal security of light to anyone who may have to venture into the bathroom after sunset.

As if that is not enough cause for concern to the residents who are expected to use these facilities, the doors, or what's left of them in some cases, do not even close, let alone lock.

“It's not safe! You never know what could be hiding in there at night.” exclaimed one of the female residents.

The list of faults is rather lengthy, rendering the facilities virtually inoperative to the residents, who pay for the services which are, in actual fact, being withheld due to the failure of the municipality or the caretaker to implement adequate maintenance.

Although we are advised to save water, here it flows constantly from the holes in the walls, where showerheads and taps once existed, leaving puddles of dirty water all over the floor, and serving as a safety hazard and a dim reminder of the absolute lack of interest the caretaker of these grounds displays.

“We phoned and told him the place is like this and he said it's not his problem,” said Cherese van Meyeren, a temporary resident, visiting a family member who stays in the caravan park, when asked if they had spoken to the caretaker regarding the state of the facilities.

The caretaker was not available to comment at the time of the interview with the residents on Friday, January 17 or thereafter on several attempts to reach him on his cellphone on Monday, January 20.

According to a source at the Abaqulusi Municipality, the responsibility to maintain these facilities does, in fact lie with the caretaker and therefore is, “his problem” after all.