Clubs operating along Umgazi Road in Menlo Park say they fear they may soon be forced off the land they have occupied for decades as the metro moves forward with plans to redevelop the precinct.

Members across several organisations, including the Pretoria Shepherd Dog Club, the Pretoria Gem and Mineral Club, the Vryburger group and others, say they feel sidelined and increasingly anxious as consultation remains unclear and lease renewals remain unresolved.

According to Pretoria Shepherd Dog Club vice-chairman Tania Quarmby, the uncertainty has been building steadily, especially after a recent petition meeting left more questions than answers.

“We attended a petition meeting about a week and a half ago. The chairman postponed our hearing until January, but the date is not confirmed. We submitted a petition signed by everyone,” she said.

“Three clubs were involved: the Pretoria Sheppard Club, the Gem and Mineral Club and the Vryburger. Two of us presented our case to stay on the properties.”

Quarmby said communication has been inconsistent, and members feel blindsided by unclear messaging regarding possible relocations.

Like several other clubs, she added that the dog club has not received any formal correspondence from the metro about its future.

According to Quarmby, the club has been legally occupying the land for decades, maintaining the space at its own cost and paying rent in advance.

“Our lease expired nearly 20 years ago. We have tried many times to renew it, but the City Council keeps delaying. Every five years, we have to start the process again,” she said.

She stated that the uncertainty has created concern among all clubs in the precinct.

“Many clubs along Umgazi Road fear eviction. There has been no proper communication, and we feel excluded from decisions that directly affect us.”

The club believes relocation would severely impact members, many of whom rely on the facility for social support.

Quarmby said the metro gave them this land for recreational purposes.

She explained that they train dogs and help people in the community.

“We have been a safe space for people dealing with loneliness and depression,” Quarmby said.

She added that any move would require the metro to provide a similar property.

“We built these facilities ourselves. If they want to move us, they must give us a property with the same facilities.”

Councillor Siobhan Muller, who has been supporting the clubs, said that other clubs in the precinct share similar concerns. They say the area is fully utilised, contrary to a report that allegedly describes it as underused.

They argue that the region hosts daily training, cultural gatherings, meetings, and community events, activities that have been consistent for decades.

MMC for Corporate and Shared Services Kholofelo Morodi said the metro is aware of the concerns but maintains that redevelopment planning has followed procedure.

According to Morodi, the metro assessed the area using lease records, zoning data and site inspections.

“All leases in this precinct have expired, meaning all clubs are operating on a month-to-month basis with no long-term contractual rights.

While some clubs may be active, the precinct as a whole remains significantly underutilised and functions largely as an enclosed enclave for a limited number of users,” Morodi said.

She stated that no eviction notices or relocation timelines have been issued.

“The metro has not issued any eviction instructions or formal relocation timelines to any club. No club is being asked to vacate without due process.”

Marodi said public participation was conducted through in-person and online meetings and that the feedback report is being finalised for the council.

According to Morodi, communication has been available through the city’s Know Your Way In lease workshops, which she said offer direct access to officials for guidance on leases and land-use matters.

She encouraged all affected groups to attend the next workshop scheduled for Region 5 on December 4 at 18:00 at Refilwe Community Hall.

Despite this, clubs argue that such workshops do not replace direct, formal engagement, particularly when their operational future is at stake.

They say only one group managed to speak to Morodi by chance at a public meeting, while the rest received no outreach.

“The renewals were paused so the city could consider precinct-wide redevelopment.

Processing new leases in the middle of this review would be inconsistent with responsible land-use management,” she said.

She added that once the council concludes the process, clarity will be provided regarding outstanding applications.

Clubs, however, remain unconvinced, especially as redevelopment discussions continue without clear commitments that they will be accommodated on site or within a short distance.

Many say losing their current facilities would erase decades of community work, infrastructure and social support – resources built entirely at their own expense.

The metro still maintains that redevelopment aims to enhance sporting and leisure opportunities and that some clubs have already enquired about future facilities in the proposed mixed-use precinct.

Morodi said these considerations form part of the planning process.

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