POLOKWANE – The Polokwane Municipality has committed to tightening municipal by-laws to regulate activities in public parks, following recent incidents at the public park in Valencia Street in Bendor.

Proposed measures include enforcing a strict no-parking zone and a ban on public drinking following mounting pressure from frustrated residents.

A hotspot for trouble

The commitment follows a heated community meeting held last Monday, where Bendor residents met with municipal officials and members of the Polokwane Community Policing Forum (PCPF).

During the meeting, families living near the park voiced concerns over what they described as the deterioration of the recreational space into a hotspot for anti-social behaviour and public disturbance.

Broken bottles and blaring music

Residents living along the U-shaped street said the park regularly attracts groups that consume alcohol in public and play loud music late into the night.

Those living closest to the park also raised concerns about suspected illegal activities and the discovery of unsanitary debris scattered across the grounds, including items suggesting sexual activity.

Residents said the presence of large groups gathering at irregular hours has severely affected their sense of safety and quality of life.

Similar problems at Tom Naude Park

The situation mirrors ongoing challenges at Tom Naude Park in Potgieter Street. In 2025, the municipality erected a perimeter fence around the park in an effort to curb anti-social behaviour. Residents, however, say the intervention has failed to stop disorderly weekend gatherings.

The aftermath of these gatherings has drawn criticism from local sports groups. Participants in the weekly Saturday 5km parkrun, which uses the Potgieter Street park, have repeatedly raised concerns about debris left behind, including broken glass bottles, plastic bags and food containers.

Will history repeat itself?

Bendor residents fear the Valencia Street park could face a similar fate without decisive intervention.

At the time of the Tom Naude Park upgrades, municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala said the municipality had introduced access-control measures, strengthened by-law enforcement and aimed to create a safer, cleaner environment for residents.

Weekend gatherings have, however, continued, with park users reportedly gaining access through another unmanned gate.

Residents are now calling on the municipality to implement similar, if not stronger, measures at the Valencia Street park before conditions deteriorate further.