Oversight visit assess Eldorado Stadium and swimming pool

The DA in Johannesburg led by caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjuku, Shadow MMC of Community Development Lyrics Mazibuko and Mlungisi Ncube conducted an oversight visit at Eldorado stadium and Eldorado Ext 9 swimming pool on February 11.

The Eldorado Park stadium and swimming facility are dilapidating due to poor planning and maintenance.

Speaking after the oversight inspection at the stadium, Echeozonjuku stated that they conducted the oversight as per request from the community to come and see the condition of these two public facilities.

ALSO READ: DA spearheads oversight visit at Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown

“I’m very angry. There is an event here today yet the stadium is not in proper condition.

“There are changing rooms that the kids should use but they can’t do that because the is no doors to close.

“These rooms are used by drug addicts, and there are a lot of faeces here. It’s concerning that our children that are supposed to be kept off streets are not able to be given a place of safe conduct,” she said.

She stated that they have discovered that there is no service level agreement regarding the maintenance of the public facilities and there is no budget specifically allocated.

A community activist at Eldorado Park, Ann Adams, said there is a lot of littering and vandalism at the stadium.

“Pick it Up does collect garbage, but because of the nearby informal settlement a lot of rubbish is dumped at the stadium,” said Adams.

ALSO READ: Councillors conduct oversight at local fire stations

Residents voiced their concerns at the swimming pool.

According to the residents of Eldorado Park, funds of R2.5m were allocated in March 2023 for the pool to be upgraded.

However, to date, the pool has not been upgraded and it has also not been open for the community to use.

The community said that they did have a meeting with entities about this issue, and the previous speaker of council promised them that an investigation into irregularities material that has been used on the swimming facility would be done.

Mazibuko said a report will be generated following the oversight visit and that it will find its way to Section 79.

“We will make sure that we represent the rights of the community members without fear of favour and prejudice,” he said.