The Walter Kinnear Sports Complex squash courts, one of the few sporting facilities still standing, have been hit by a spate of criminal activity, including break-ins and vandalism. The complex was opened on November 21, 1990, to advance sports in Standerton.

Over the years, local sporting and recreational facilities have borne the brunt of vandalism, break-ins, and municipal neglect, leaving athletes no alternative but to seek facilities outside of town.

Most recently, the sports complex suffered its third break-in.

A cleaner who services the facility every Thursday noticed a broken window and notified Trudie van Dyk, manager of the Standerton Golf Club. The cleaner did not go inside but waited for Van Dyk to arrive.

“We went inside and saw that everything was broken,” said Van Dyk.

She had to use her cellphone torch to assess the damage and take photos because the electricity was off due to stolen cables.

“We were in the women’s bathroom and opened the shower curtains; we saw a guy standing there,” Van Dyk recalled.

The man struck Van Dyk on her arm with a rock. Fortunately, she escaped without serious injuries. She said they tried to keep the suspect inside the facility, but he escaped. The suspect allegedly gained access through a window he had broken in the entrance door.

“I don’t know what is going to happen now. Everything is destroyed. Electric cables were stolen, basins are completely broken, and taps and pipes were stolen,” said Van Dyk.

She added that the Lekwa Local Municipality needs to intervene and address the vandals who are destroying not only the sports complex but all recreational facilities, including the swimming pool, parks, tennis courts, and the now-ruined Walter Kinnear Centre.

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“It costs a lot of money to keep the facility running, and now it is going to cost even more to fix everything. I don’t know if we will be able to fix everything that has been destroyed,” Van Dyk said.

In addition to damage to windows, bathrooms, and cables, the squash courts were also flooded. Due to Standerton’s ongoing water woes, there was no water initially, but when Van Dyk returned with investigators, the supply had been restored.

Because the pipes had been stolen, the facility and its courts were flooded.

The Standerton Advertiser reached out to Lekwa Local Municipality’s communications manager, Lubabalo Majenge, who responded to the following questions:

Is the municipality aware of the ongoing break-ins and vandalism at this site?
Yes.

Is the area currently being monitored by law enforcement or private security?
The municipality concluded a lease agreement in 2024. Reportedly, the tenant has failed to proceed with the lease.

What specific challenges is the municipality facing regarding the vandalism and criminal aspects surrounding municipal infrastructure?
Capacity and negligence of the property management component for the past 15 years.

What immediate steps are being taken to prevent further damage to the squash courts?
The municipality has noted the concern, and municipal security will be deployed to take over the property. Further to that, the property will be leased out to a suitable candidate to bring life back to the facilities.

What are the long-term structural risks if this vandalism continues?
The collapse of the facilities

Is there a safety risk for the community using the squash court facilities?
Any place poses threats, and the safety is of great concern to the municipality.

Where should the public report incidents of infrastructure theft and vandalism?
Department of Planning and Economic Development, located in Sakhile Offices

What is the municipality’s plan to preserve what is left of the squash court?
Removed critical items; the municipality will deploy security personnel on site.

Does the municipality do any maintenance to the squash courts, or is this left up to members using the facilities?
The municipality is in the process of capacitating the maintenance team to ensure regular maintenance.

What are the costs of maintaining a facility such as the squash courts?
The municipality cannot currently disclose this, as no maintenance has yet started.