“We urgently need 24-hour security at the Grootvaly Blesbokspruit Educational Centre,” says Dean Stone, councillor for Ward 75, Ekurhuleni.
He said this after the centre in the grounds of the Grootvaly Blesbokspruit Conservation Trust, off Welgedacht Road, was upgraded so that schools and groups could visit it to learn more about the animals and especially birds living in this Ramsar site.
The fence at the Welgedacht Road entrance now has a new type of fencing. The old pallisade fencing had been stolen many times, leaving this vlei, with lots of reeds and water, without security.
With the installation of new solar panels, the centre now also has solar panels for electricity and warm water.
Both the educational hall and bird ringing centre also has new furniture.
Both Stone and Mike Wood, reserve manager, were excited about the renovations.
With a past of people vandalising the centre and stealing everything of value, they are holding their breath because both believe this place needs a 24-hour security guard, even if the educational centre has to share a guard with another business.
In March the two expressed their concern about the educational centre being vandalised and not being maintained because there was no security.
Since then the Advertiser has sent questions to Ekurhuleni Metro on more than one occasion about their plans with the centre, as well as asking why it does not have a 24-hour guard. The metro never answered any of these questions.
