Weekend chaos at swimming pool and park
KENSINGTON B – Residents from as far as Diepsloot allegedly make unbearable noise at the Kensington B swimming pool over weekends.
Children as young as five years old are allegedly being dropped off at the Kensington B public swimming pool and park without any adult supervision.
Taxi drivers allegedly arrive at the pool with children hanging out of the windows and doors – sometimes with between 20 and 30 children inside – and especially over weekends.
When these children do not get into the pool – as it accommodates 120 people at a time, they allegedly cause havoc in the park.
According to the chairperson of Kenbrink Resident’s Association (KRA) Sandy Heidstra, some of them drink, play loud music, and allegedly take drugs.
“The younger children are left on their own until the taxi drivers arrive to take them home – sometimes after 7pm. There is then a major scramble to get onto the taxis, with children, sometimes being thrown on to the road,” she explained.
She further explained that some of the residents in Kensington B were also a problem as they sit in the park and drink.
When confronted, they allegedly claim that they could drink anywhere they want since the park and the pool were public places.
There are however, signs at the pool and in the park prohibiting residents to drink, but no one seems to take heed.
She said she has sought help since February this year but to no avail. “The police say that bylaws are being broken so it is JMPD’s problem,” she said.
JMPD spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar explained that they were not aware of this problem and that complaints should be directed to the director of bylaws management.
“They need to notify the JMPD bylaw management on 011 490 1630 and we will then intervene,” he said.
However, JMPD intervened on 5 December and confronted some of the taxi drivers, and searched their vehicles. “Sunday (6 December) was quiet. We hope they will continue patrolling in the weeks to come,” concluded Heidstra.
Ward 104 Councillor Mike Wood explained that intervention by JMPD must be on a regular basis. “We welcome the intervention and hope this problem will be eradicated,” he concluded.
Details: Ward 104 Councillor Mike Wood, 082 853 2174; JMPD, 011 758 9100.
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