Dirty, unsafe park at heart of Pretoria North row
Residents say there is litter on walkways, patches of overgrown grass, and signs of frequent dumping, adding that it no longer feels like the safe family destination it once was.
The Tshwane metro has defended its maintenance record at the Vader Kestell park, after north residents and Ward 2 Councillor Quentin Meyer accused it of neglect and failing to keep the public space clean and safe.
The Vader Kestell Park is also commonly known as Pretoria North City Hall Park.
The dispute erupted when Meyer called the park’s condition completely unacceptable, and residents voiced their concerns about the state of the park.
Residents said there’s litter on walkways, patches of overgrown grass, and signs of frequent dumping, adding that the park no longer feels like the safe family destination it once was.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo insisted the park receives daily attention from the parks and horticulture services team, with routine activities such as litter picking, sweeping, weeding, cleaning, and waste removal carried out as part of its operational plan.
He said grass cutting at the park was done on April 1, 15, 22, 23 and 26, with the most recent maintenance visit recorded on May 30.
Mashigo attributed the park’s current appearance partly to the dry season, saying grass growth slows during this period, but promised that cutting activities would intensify when the rainy season starts.
Maintenance records aside, many in the community remain unconvinced.
“If they are here daily, then I don’t know what they are doing. You can walk there any day of the week and find litter scattered everywhere. The swings might not be broken, but the park still looks dirty and neglected,” said resident Maria Jacobs, who has lived in the area for 25 years.
Another resident, Lucky Mashego, argued that the issue is not just about grass cutting, but general upkeep.
“They can cut the grass, yes, but what about the bins that are overflowing, the broken benches, the people sleeping there at night? We are told everything is fine, but we see something else.
“People are drinking, making fires, and leaving rubbish behind. By the next morning, it looks terrible again.”
Mashigo rejected claims that the park’s infrastructure was damaged, stating that the play equipment is in a good state and that the adjacent public swimming pool is fenced for safety.
He added that the metro cannot afford to provide permanent security guards for parks in Region 1 because there are more than 100 such facilities to manage.
“Instead, the metro relies on visible policing by the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) and community members to preserve the facilities.
“It is the responsibility of the residents who use these facilities to care for and preserve such resources,” he said.
The metro admitted that vagrants frequent the park, particularly in the evenings, and that this has led to excessive dumping and littering as they sort through recyclable material.
Mashigo confirmed that only internal municipal staff are used for park maintenance and that no external contractors have been appointed.
He said the ward councillor is in regular contact with parks officials, and while there is no specific long-term upgrade strategy for Ward 2 alone, the metro’s operational plan covers all parks citywide.
For the councillor, the metro’s explanations do not go far enough.
“The park is open, unmaintained, and completely unacceptable for public use, especially for our children and families.
“Overgrown grass, broken infrastructure, litter, and general neglect have turned these once-beautiful public spaces into eyesores and safety hazards,” said Meyer.
“Residents are telling me they don’t feel safe, they see litter every day, and they are losing pride in their community spaces. That is not acceptable.”
Jacobs said the park was a point of pride for the area.
“When my children were little, this was a place we could come to without worrying.
“We would bring a picnic blanket, and there were other families, people jogging, and children playing. Now it’s almost empty in the daytime and dangerous at night.”
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