Residents expressed their concerns about the recently reopened Rhodes Park Johannesburg traffic and security department’s Junior Training Centre.
It seems as though the centre is being neglected again after it was relaunched last year in November. Alison Roberts who is a Kensington resident and PR councillor visited the centre to check the condition of the place. The centre was not properly secured and the was grass overgrown.
“I’m disappointed to see the centre in this condition. The community was very excited about the relaunching of the centre. As the schools reopen they should be able to come and make bookings. Such centres are important in our communities to teach the children about road safety,” said Roberts.
Ward 66 councillor Carlos Da Rocha said he is aware of the centre’s conditions. “The centre was relaunched late in the year. The festive season was around the corner. People take leave and even residents went on holiday, resulting in the centre being closed during the holidays,” he explained.
He said the centre only reopened last week Wednesday. When asked about the overgrown grass, he explained that with heavy rains the grass grew rapidly and staff responsible for cutting grass are still getting back to work and there are a number of areas that need grass cutting.
“The centre is an initiative that has been restarted with the help of sponsors. There is still much more to be done to get this centre running perfectly and for that to happen, the community has to come on board. We are still looking for volunteers to be based at the centre,” added Da Rocha.
He emphasised that the community needs to support the centre and volunteer so that it can also be open on weekends. The centre will be open every Wednesday from 9am to 2pm. Bookings can only be done onsite on Wednesday at this point.
Read: Junior traffic centre ready to teach children road safety
