Newcastle to gain from wrack and ruin at Klipfontein

THE wrack and ruin of the facilities at the Klipfontein Dam could mean a crushing blow for Vryheid tourism, if the KZN Angling Union decides to move its provincial competitions to Newcastle.

Secretary of the KwaZulu-Natal Freshwater Bank Angling Union, Dawie Beetge, divulged that the possibility of hosting the provincial competitions at Ntshinwayo (Chelmsford) Dam in Newcastle was being seriously considered due to the appalling state of the ablution and camping facilities at Klipfontein.

Klipfontein was ranked one of the top five fishing destinations in South Africa due to the excellent availability of fish, and angling competitions at the dam drew about 250 people a day. Sadly, the plumbing, electrical connections and even the doors at the ablution facilities have been stolen, and the public braai facilities have been reduced to mounds of rubble.

A group of well-meaning fishing enthusiasts undertook to repair the ablution facilities at Klipfontein dam at their own expense, but were stopped dead in their tracks by acting municipal manager, Bongiwe Mnikathi, who said they didn’t have the council’s permission to conduct any repairs.

The living quarters alongside the guardhouse at the gate to Klipfontein is being stolen piece by piece. Vandals and thieves first gained access to the building by breaking the windows. Over the last couple of years, the plumbing, electrical fittings, cupboards and shelves were taken, with the doors and security gates being stolen just two weeks ago.

The gate-keeper says he has been robbed at least six times. Once, all the robbers could get their hands on were four thumb-tacks. On another occasion, they took a coffee mug, 50 cents and the gate-keeper’s walking stick.

“In July, we will be hosting our junior fishing trials at Klipfontein. We are taking children under the age of 19 out to the dam and there are no facilities for them. We will have to hire portable toilets,” complained Mr Beetge. “I would like to know what happens to the money that is collected at the gate because it is not being used to renovate, upgrade or even maintain the facilities.”

Mr Beetge attributes the current state of Klipfontein to poor management by the AbaQulusi municipality and a lack of security. He feels that the only feasible solution to the neglect, vandalism and theft is the privatisation of the dam.

“I personally approached the municipality about the privatisation of the dam, and despite acting municipal manager, Bongiwe Mnikathi, promising me feedback, I never heard a word about it again. From my personal point of view, the municipality is clinging to something they cannot cope with. There is absolutely nobody looking after the place inside,” he concluded.

Kobie van der Vyfer, chairperson of the SAPS Angling Club agrees, “The ablution blocks are in a very poor state. The caravan park is not worth the cost of the entry fee. There is no security and we sometimes catch people fishing with nets, which is illegal. The people in charge just don’t maintain it. They are receiving money but not putting anything into the upkeep of the dam. I suggest that the dam be privatised. If the dam facilities are looked after, tourism in Vryheid would pick up and it could bring a huge financial injection for the town.”

A member of the Vryheid Angling Club, who asked not to be named, described Klipfontein as, “a gold mine next to our town.”

“The facilities are in such a poor state and whenever we approach the municipality to do something, they tell us that they will look into it but nothing happens. When we have league competitions, we have anglers from all over South Africa at Klipfontein dam, and it is embarrassing, what we have to offer them,” he said.

Another angler who wished to remain anonymous pointed out that the contract signed between the Parks Board and the municipality, when the municipality took over Klipfontein Dam, stipulated that the municipality would ensure the facilities at the dam would be maintained to the same condition in which it was received.

“The municipality has clearly not kept their word. The fence around Klipfontein is also being stolen so access is easy. I have been living in Vryheid all my life and I am watching it deteriorate bit by bit. Soon there will be nothing left,” he said.

AfriForum chairperson , Andre van der Walt, confirmed that there was an agreement between the Parks Board and the municipality, that the facilities would be maintained in the same condition as it was received. “Either the municipality does not have the money, or they just don’t want to fix it. The only way to curb the vandalism and the theft is to have 24-hour, proper security. I remember in the weekends, Klipfontein used to be overflowing with visitors, now it has gone to the dogs.”

Former chairperson of the AbaQulusi Ratepayers’ Association, Doug Grewar, maintains that Ms Mnikathi had made some effort to repair the facilities at Klipfontein, but the vandalism still continued despite her effort. “It’s the councillors at AbaQulusi that don’t seem to care,” said Mr Grewar. “The councillors seem to have the ‘Midas Touch’, except whatever they touch doesn’t turn to gold, it turns to rubbish.”

Also read: Klipfontein Dam What are you paying for?.

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