Piering Park’s vagrancy woes continue despite new fencing
Residents living nearby the park say they are scared to use this recreational facility as mugging and illegal activities take place there.
The Elardus Park community’s concerns have escalated after the fencing that the metro put up failed to deter vagrants at Piering Park on Piering Road.
The once-peaceful park is now host to alleged criminal activities, illegal dumping, vagrancy and public drinking.
Residents living near the park said they are scared to use the recreational facility as mugging and illegal activities take place there.
Last year, the metro said it decided to fence Piering Park to thwart lawlessness and vandalism of its infrastructure.
The metro said all fences are prone to vandalism, but hoped it would serve as a deterrent.
Currently, residents are still complaining about the squatting problem at the park.
Shawn Fouché, public relations officer for the LS4 Policing Sub Forum, said years of neglect and vagrancy have taken a devastating toll on Piering Park.
She said the situation has become unbearable for residents.
“Nearby residents have endured years of disruption and degradation. People are also scared to walk through the park now.
“Local community organisations have held multiple clean-up campaigns that have been set back by the lack of proper fences,” she added.
Fouché said the vagrants have turned the park into a noisy, drunken free-for-all, making open fires and demonstrating a general disregard for the law.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the city, in collaboration with non-profit organisations (NPOs) and the Gauteng Department of Social Development (DSD), has established numerous homeless shelters, many of which are located in the inner city.
“These shelters provide complimentary accommodation, meals, and psychosocial support for vagrants.”
Mashigo said the city’s social workers will be deployed at the park to conduct assessments to implement appropriate interventions.
“Should there be individuals present at the park, the social workers will inform them of the availability of shelters.”
He said arrangements will be made to relocate those who consent to move to the shelters.
“It is important to note that the relocation services are voluntary, and social workers cannot force individuals to leave the park and move to the shelters.”
He said TMPD would be involved in enforcing municipal by-laws at the park.
“A multi-departmental by-law enforcement operation led by Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) takes place as and when the need arises.”
Mashigo said the park is maintained and cleaned regularly.
“The frequency is dependent on the availability of resources, weather conditions and other municipal programmes.”
Mashigo said since the gathering of vagrants is not a planned event, as and when the noise erupts the community is advised to call TMPD for a response.
“Should the need arise, environmental health officers from noise pollution management may be roped in to conduct noise measurements if warranted in terms of joint operation procedure and noise regulations.”
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