Vandalism at Nellmapius swimming centre the reason for closure

Acts of criminality have left the Nellmapius Swimming Pool centre non-functional for over six years.
The recreational centre had six operating swimming pools: two big pools and four small pools.

The centre in Nellmapius Ext 4 closed its gates back in 2019 because of pool pumps that needed maintenance and because the security guards had left.

“Today, all the pools are dry and the pumps are no longer working as the building has been vandalised by criminals,” said Mashigo.

The swimming pools were supposed to be a place for children to play and swim in the hot summer, but the facility, which cost millions of rands, was vandalised by criminals.

This has left Nellmapius residents, especially local children who love to cool down by swimming, with no place to go except Mamelodi swimming pools and other surrounding areas to swim.

Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said they are aware of the complaints and the conditions of the facility.

Mashigo said the shutdown of the facilities, which was in line with the Level 1 Water Restrictions imposed by Rand Water, meant that there was very little to no activity.

This provided an opportunity for theft and vandalism.

“The extent of the vandalism has exceeded the level of operational maintenance and would need capital expenditure to repair the damage,” said Mashigo.

“As it is, the buildings, plumbing, electrical, filtration systems and pool tiles require reconstruction,” he said.

Councillor Kholofelo Kgopotso claimed the previous councillor reported the matter to Tshwane metro, adding she also reported the matter to Tshwane metro.

She said she is still waiting for the metro to come and fix the pool.

“We have pleaded with the metro to improve security by installing a new entrance gate, but they weren’t listening.”

Kgopotso said the centre started operating in 2016. But even back then, it was in a dire condition and urgently needed repairs.

“Criminals took almost everything at the pools, vandalised everything from taps, lights, showers, toilets, the playfield, the camera system, broken windows and stolen fixtures.

“The Moretele Park resort in Mamelodi has 24-hour security guards. They should have done the same for us here in Nellmapius.”

She said the metro has let millions in rands go down the drain because no one wants to take responsibility for the facility.

Olinah Mabala, a parent from Nellmapius, said the centre was once a safe place for kids to play, but not any more.

“Our children used to play by the swimming pools in groups during the school holidays and festive season, but now they have nowhere to go,” said Mabala.

“This was our only swimming pool in the area, and the metro should have taken care of it. Now our children have to walk long distances to places like Mamelodi.”

She pleaded with the Tshwane metro to fix the swimming pools.

“We, as parents, are paying more than we expected because we have to take our children to Mamelodi swimming pools, which are expensive.

We need transport money, entrance money and food,” she said.

Daniel Tshepo Mnguni from Nellmapius said the pools have been turned into a hideout for criminals.

Mnguni pleaded with the Tshwane metro to fix the facility, which belongs to the community.

“We can’t just watch a state-of-the-art facility being destroyed and left abandoned just like that without a fight.”

Mashigo said the metro is busy doing a cost analysis. He added that the centre could be made operational in the next four to eight weeks.”

R3.6-million has been allocated in this quarter to get the pools compliant and acceptable for public usage.

“This includes basic repairs and maintenance in ablutions, the pools, and the grounds. As soon as the information is compiled, it will be submitted for consideration. This does mean that some facilities will not be open at this time,” he concluded.

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