Ward 118 councillor, Neuren Pietersen is not happy with the level of service delivery at the Bezuidenhout Valley Caravan Park.
His said his main concern is the lack of basic maintenance and security at the caravan park. “This is evidenced by the missing taps and pipes, broken geysers and fire hydrant boxes, missing locks, rotting gates and thatch that is falling apart,” he said.
Even though the serious leaks have been repaired, Pietersen said a lot more needs to be done. “We cannot afford to have water leakages while we have serious water restrictions. There are no locks here, so anyone can do as they please.
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“Residents who are complaining about the state of the park have refused to pay to stay there. This is not the appropriate manner to express one’s dissatisfaction.”
Jennifer Coetzee, a resident at the caravan park, said she has been living there for three years. She hopes the City of Joburg can assist with hot water because they suffer in winter. “The living conditions are not bad, but we do not have hot water. We don’t pay rent because people have made it a dumping place. Look at the broken doors and leaking taps. We hardly have services here.”
Pietersen said that even though the residents do not have access to hot water, they must pay rent. “The residents say that this lack of maintenance is unacceptable and they are withholding fees due to the City for this reason.
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“Unfortunately, the residents must accept and comply with the camping fees asked by the City, so that the City can deliver the services that they wish to see delivered.”
Pietersen added that he had communicated with various departments to solve the dumping and water leak problems. “I have engaged with various stakeholders, including the Department of Sport and Recreation, Johannesburg Water and Johannesburg City Parks and will follow up in two weeks,” he concluded.
