Bedford Gardens residents urged to occupy park

Sexual enhancing tea and school uniforms are just some of the items found at Posselt Park during an operation by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) and the ward 20 councillor, Clr Jill Humphreys.

The operation took place last Wednesday.

Clr Humphreys said she had received complaints of illegal activities being carried out by vagrants living in the park from residents.

She has since called on residents to take over the park and for the municipality to fence the park.

“We need residents to occupy the spaces. Law enforcement will do everything possible to remove the vagrants, but if the spaces remain empty they will come back,” said Clr Humphreys.

During the operation, officers found makeshift bedrooms. Recycling trolleys were found and there was also evidence of fires from the previous night.

Women’s shoes and handbags were also found.

Four men found in the park, who it is believed possible live in the park, were questioned, told to leave and warned not to come back.

Inside storm water pipes were blankets, reflective clothing and sexual enhancing products.

“I actually feel sorry for the women walking through this space to and from work as they can easily fall victim to criminals waiting to rape women. It is a sickening thought,” said one of the officers.

Resident, Mr Farouk Jogiat, echoed Clr Humphreys‘ call to have residents take over their public spaces.

“As residents, we need to get out of out high walls, join hands and come back to the park. We need to walk our dogs and bring our children to play here. This is our space,” said Mr Jogiat.

He called on people to stop using the space for driving practice.

“People come from as far as Malvern to practice their driving skills here and it needs to stop. We can’t tell people to bring their families here only to put their lives in danger,” he said.

Clr Humphreys said her plan for the park includes getting a cycling track as well as a safe walking servitude for pedestrians.