Metro complies with court order: Hillcrest pool reopens

The City of Tshwane has confirmed it will comply fully with a recent court order instructing the reopening of the Hillcrest swimming pool.

Metro spokesperson, Lindela Mashigo, said the city’s response to the court order is to proceed to carry out its functions ensuring the pool is safe to use.

“The pool is in a satisfactory condition, and it was safe to open it on September 17.”

Mashigo also confirmed the metro does not intend to appeal the judgment, saying the order aligns with its intention to have the pool operational for the swimming season.

“One petition was received and dealt with at the August 2025 sitting of the petitions committee,” Mashigo explained.

“The committee received the same response that the metro was waiting for approval from Rand Water to proceed.”

He said the approval was granted by Rand Water on August 25.

“Then the metro proceeded to take all necessary steps to open all pools [that] it could.”

The Hillcrest swimming pool has officially reopened after months of closure, following a successful court battle between residents and the metro.

The Olympic-standard public pool, which had been closed since March 2024 due to a heater breakdown and water leaks, reopened on 17 September.

Ward councillor Tiaan Dippenaar confirmed that the long-awaited reopening had taken place, with both the heater and the leaks repaired.

Residents, who launched a petition and later took the matter to court, said the legal pressure forced the metro to act.

One resident confirmed that chlorine, previously in short supply, has now been delivered.

Resident Herman van der Westhuizen said locals feel ‘fantastic’ about the reopening, which now allows swimmers to use the facility for training and other activities.

“I have been using the pool for 49 years. The pool heaters are fixed, and everything is working well.”

“The leaks seem resolved now. Overall, it’s great that the pool is operational again,” he said.

Jean-Pierre Verster, a community activist who helped organise the petitions, described the reopening as a collective victory.

“Thank you to everyone for your hard work, dedication, and persistence in making this happen.

“This is a true victory and we are moving forward as a nation,” he said.

The Hillcrest pool has long been regarded as a vital community asset, serving swimmers of all ages, from school learners and rehabilitation patients to professional athletes.

Residents say their fight was not only about access but also about preserving the facility for future generations.

In their most recent petition, which drew more than 3 200 signatures, residents called on the metro to commit to a long-term plan for Hillcrest.

Suggestions included a partnership with private investors under the metro’s community upliftment programme (CUP) framework, allowing the facility to be sustainably managed while remaining publicly owned.

For now, however, the reopening has brought relief to hundreds of residents who rely on the pool for training, fitness, and recreation.

“This is not about politics,” said Verster, “It’s about protecting a space that brings health, hope, and unity to our community.”

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