Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) carried out a clean-up, rehabilitation, and safety operation at Little Falls Resort on Friday, February 13.

The initiative followed complaints from neighbouring communities about safety, homelessness, and poor maintenance. It was planned to include work at Little Falls Ridge and Heldekruin Ridge as well.

Preparatory work began earlier in the week, and on the day of the Mega Blitz, JCPZ teams were joined by two co-operatives with 26 workers, a contractor with 10 staff, and internal teams. Law enforcement support was planned from 30 JCPZ Rangers, seven Protected Areas officials, JMPD, police, and the Gauteng Crime Prevention Unit, but the law enforcement team withdrew their participation due to rainy conditions.

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“As a result, we did not have activities that would have included law enforcement as part of what we planned today,” said Lombard Shirindzi, the JCPZ executive manager for Environmental Conservation. Tree planting, facility clean-up, and clearing litter along the stream continued, and according to Lombard, patrolling of the area over the week had not revealed any major issues from previous complaints.

“This is a tourism and recreation facility that is used almost every weekend. Cleaning up helps us prepare for Saturday and Sunday, which are usually very busy,” he said. Water sampling along the river was deferred due to recent flash rains.

JCPZ’s managing director Thanduxolo Mendrew said the operation aimed to restore safety, dignity, and order.

“Little Falls Ridge is a public conservation asset, not a lawless space, and we are calling on residents to stand with us in protecting it,” he said.

Bishop Ngobeni, the senior manager for Protected Areas and Environmental Enforcement, highlighted that indigenous and fruit-bearing trees, including marula, were planted to educate visitors.

“We want children to see a marula tree here, instead of only on TV in places like Kruger National Park,” he said. Hiking trails now link surrounding ridges and open spaces, while recently gazetted by-laws ensure safety and discipline.

Bishop added that over two years, proper management had generated around R2m for the City of Johannesburg. Residents are urged to protect infrastructure, avoid anti-social behaviour, and report criminal activity to JMPD on 011 375 5911.

“The goal is to create a space that is safe, well-maintained, and meaningful for both conservation and recreation,” Ngobeni said.