Residents surrounding Rotunda Park in Turffontein are angry and perturbed by the state of the park, after an ANC election party on May 3 left the park trashed and in a mess, courtesy of the ANC.
Beer bottles and ANC pamphlets littered the park, leaving it unsightly. There was also a braai in the park, as some grass patches have been destroyed and burnt. The smell of urine was very strong the next day, due to people making use of the park as a toilet by what is still left of the skate board ramp.
The sad reality is that the park is completely neglected, so much so that the fencing on the tennis courts is no longer useable. Lights often don’t work at night, and there is no green gym equipment for kids. One would think with an ANC controlled ward and an ANC controlled city, the park would be maintained to high standards in order to discourage the youth from substance abuse like booze and drugs.
The ANC’s behaviour over the weekend before the elections encourages public drinking and the mistreatment of public property. Is this how they celebrate child protection and encourage child friendly recreation?
How can the public use a park that is turned into a tavern? How do the children and families make use of recreation in Rotunda Park? Where will the children turn to in the end? Leaders should be setting an example.
Clr Tyrell Meyers
