Park safety in the spotlight
“Safety in parks does not only apply to Rhodes Park but at all the city’s recreational facilities."
The City of Joburg’s (CoJ) monthly council meeting took place on October 29.
The meeting focused on a number of issues, including the development of housing and reviewing the culture, recreation and open public spaces bylaws.
Since the Rhodes Park double murder and rape on October 17, councillors expressed concern about the public’s safety in parks and public spaces.
The MMC for Community Development responded to questions regarding safety in public parks.
“Safety in parks not only applies to Rhodes Park, but at all the city’s recreational facilities. It is just that Rhodes Park had a sense of emergency, hence we increased visibility of safety officials and we will apply this to all the parks in the city.
“There are plans in place to make parks safer. Stakeholders, which include park rangers and members of the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), the SAPS and local and private policing forums, will be working together to develop a strategy on park patrols.
“The department of community development will also beef up its campaign to create public awareness on park safety, operating hours and the general safety status. One of the city’s objectives is for a safer city,” said Clr Vondo.
Clr Carlos da Rocha, from ward 66, posed questions to the MMC for Housing, Clr Bonakelo Bovu.
Clr Da Rocha posed his question following a site meeting on August 19 at the Bertrams flats.
During the visit, the MMC said a meeting will be held with the relevant department officials to address the state of the flats.
Clr Da Rocha questioned when the meeting, with the department officials, will take place.
“The meeting is still to happen. As I said during the site visit, something needs to be done about the flats and something will be done about it, but proper procedure needs to be followed.
“The meeting will be on November 11 when all the relevant people will be present,” said Clr Bovu.
